Longtime court clerk known for kindness

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

A Purity truck crushed the cab of Buck Vinson’s pickup in the fatal Friday morning accident on Nashville Highway. Vinson’s pickup was also hit from behind by a Toyota Camry. (Duane Sherrill photo)

Serving the people of Warren County for 22 years as circuit court clerk, the passing of Buck Vinson from injuries sustained in an automobile accident Friday came as a blow to the community where he had labored in a volunteer capacity since his retirement.

“He was a community-minded person. He was very people oriented,” said Circuit Court Clerk Bernie Morris who replaced Vinson upon his retirement in 1994.

“He will be missed by everyone. He was the kind of person who would literally give you the shirt off his back.”

Her comments came as she and her staff were closely monitoring the Friday afternoon treatment of Vinson’s daughter and circuit court clerk employee Carol George, waiting for news on the condition of their friend and deputy clerk.

“He took me under his wing and showed me the ropes before he retired. That was just the kind of giving person he was,” Morris said. “His passing is going to be a great loss to Warren County.”

Vinson served as circuit court clerk from 1972-1994 after taking the unexpired term of C.N. Yager. He was then elected back to office five times before choosing to retire.

The 22 years he served as clerk made him the second longest serving clerk since Warren County was founded, second only to Pleasant Henderson who served from 1811 to 1837, his life ending when he was struck by lightning while working on his farm.

Much of Vinson’s term was served with now-retired Circuit Court Judge Charles Haston, who took office not long after Vinson.

“He was just the best clerk that is and ever was,” Haston said upon Vinson’s retirement. “He never let me down.”

His office also served a number of general sessions judges such as former sessions judges Walter Griswald and Judge Barry Medley.

In addition to his professional career, Vinson was also known for his woodworking. He practiced his handiwork in his workshop near Centertown where he was a prominent citizen. He was active in his community and his church even after his retirement from office over a decade ago.