The Tall Man
On Monday, December 29, 2025, my church family will gather to pay final respect and to say goodbye to 98-year-old John I. Vincent Jr. I doubt I can find the ink to express all the great things I know about this man. He has been my friend and my hero for 80 years. I know of no other human who has accomplished what Mr. Vincent did. Most important of which is that he was a kind Christian man.
The 2nd World War had just ended. It was winter. The roads were bad, and the old buses were worn. Children had to meet the bus at the old Shearon farmhouse on Vildo Road. That was as far as the mud road would allow the bus to get.
An old hound dog grabbed my lunch off the fence post where I had set it. I had no money. That is when the “Tall Man,” who had appeared among us a few weeks prior, gave me a dime. He told me to “eat in the lunchroom today, son.” This began a lifelong friendship.
Jr. was the fourth of 11 children. When the oldest, Wilbur, was killed in 1944. Jr. left high school and joined his other two older brothers in the war effort. He was 18 when he joined.
When the war ended, he was released and finished high school. Yet, when the Korean War started five years later, he joined again and served. Meaning he served in two Wars. That was only a small part of who Mr. Vincent was.
John I. Vincent ran a successful country store, raised a fine family. He was in every way the epitome of a fine Christian man. He would raise a large garden, then deliver fresh produce to older people. He would cut firewood and take it to those who could not afford other types of heat. He attended refrigeration school and was adept in appliance repairs. He often made repairs for needy people at no cost. He would catch fish and give them to older people who could not fish. He ran a credit line in his store and helped many who were in need. The list of his Christian deeds has no end. He was my trusted friend. I both admired and loved him as a dear friend.
Mr. Vincent raised three daughters, and all three are credit to his name. He married one woman and loved her until she passed away.
Mr. Vincent had a special knowledge of money management. His counsel was wise. He was an even-tempered man who spoke quietly. I cannot remember all the times when there was a problem in our church, VFW, or our community. Jr. would always be there with good, solid advice and help, too.
Now, my old friend will go to that other place, which we call Heaven. His was a life well lived. He left this world a better place. He taught me the meaning of what a real man should be.
In closing, I won’t say, may he rest in peace. My guess is, when he arrives in Heaven, John I. Vincent Jr. will find something that needs to be fixed, lol. Go with God, old friend.
Reprinted with permission from Kenneth Hadley.
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