The Trigg County community is mourning the loss of long-time coroner and funeral home owner John R. Vinson III.
Vinson, who was 78, passed away Tuesday evening at Shady Lawn Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Following graduation from Trigg County High School in 1960, Vinson graduated from the Mid-America College of Funeral Service with a degree in mortuary science.
He ran for Trigg County coroner in 1965 and was elected with 77-percent of the vote. He was then unopposed in the next nine-county elections until 2002, when he was elected to his final term with 79-percent of the vote.
Vinson retired as coroner in 2006. His son, John Mark Vinson, was then elected corner and continues to serve in that capacity today.