Ronald Harold Vining

Ronald Harold Vining, 91, of Pacific Grove California who was known for his dedication to work and family and the volunteering of time to his church and community passed away peacefully at home on June 4th 2017 with his family by his side. Ron was born on August 18, 1925 to Ronald Theodore Benjamin and Theresa Marie Siebenaler Vining on Forest Avenue in Pacific Grove the same street which he would build his home, retire and spend the remainder of his years. Ron was the eldest of three children and is survived by his sister, Shirley Hudson of Fresno, CA, his daughter, Christine Stebbins of Emmett, ID, son, David Vining of Roanoke VA, daughter, Bonnie Jacobsen Emmett, ID, son, Robert Vining of PG, son, Walter Vining of PG, daughter, Heidi Snyder of Bellevue, NE, as well as two grandchildren, Darla and Benjamin Vining both of Pacific Grove, Ca that they raised since their births. He leaves behind 31 grandchildren, even more great grandchildren, and even some great-great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years Selma who passed away in 2015 at the age of 89, son Richard Vining in 1982 at the age of 34, daughter Dorothy Vining in 1990 at the age of 38, and daughter Sharon Vining in 2013 at the age of 62. Ron at 4 years old moved into the home his parents had built on the corner of Spruce and Park street and attended Robert H. Down School through 8th grade. When Ron was still young he entered a kite flying contest at the High School football field where his quick thinking to fly a smaller kite to raise his larger kite in the air helped him win the contest. Ron would work for his father who owned Vining meat market on Alvarado street in Monterey. One of Ron's fondest memories growing up was the raising and keeping of homing pigeons. On any given occasion he would take a few of his pigeons as far as San Francisco and release them and by the time he arrived home they would have already made it there. Ron attended Pacific Grove High School and played for the basketball and football teams. His early appreciation for Carpentry was used in the creation of his kayak he would hull out of a solid section of tree that he used to float down the Big Sur river. Ron graduated High School in 1943 and while still 17 years old he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the height of WWII. After boot camp he would start training as an Apprentice Carpenter's Mate. Ron then boarded the USS Comet AP-166 which left San Diego headed for Pearl Harbor on 26 April 1944. He would be on the ship for the invasions of Saipan on the 15 June 1944 and Guam between 23 and 29 July 1944. Ron after returning back to Pearl Harbor would then head back to San Diego and spent the remainder of his time on a sub chaser off the coast of California. Ron made the Third Class Petty Officer rating. When Ron returned home from service he started working as an Apprentice Carpenter for the local Carpenters Union. Ron would meet with his Pastor to play chess at the Lutheran Service Center and he had his eye on a young woman that worked there that he knew from Sunday School, Selma. He finally worked up the nerve to ask her out on a date. Ron and Selma married on February 21st 1947. Ron then purchased a vacant lot on Forest Ave and started Construction on his home in his spare time. Ron and Selma would move in a couple years later with their three oldest children. Ron worked very hard at his job as a Carpenter and would quickly get promoted to Foreman and eventually Job Site Superintendent. During the summers Ron planned camping trips that he would take his family on to many National Parks across the country. Yosemite was always a favorite place to go and just South of Yosemite was a small recreation area, Mammoth Pools Reservoir which became a frequently visited camping location over many years. Ron would work the same job as Superintendent until he decided to go into business for himself as a Contractor the last decade before he retired. Ron was an active member of The Gideons International where he would help distribute Bibles to Hotels and hand them out to kids at schools locally. He would also host the Gideons Meeting at his home every few months. Ron also volunteered for The Hospice of Monterey County where he would drive patients to doctors appointments and spend time with patients at their bedside. Even in retirement Ron would still work on his home doing any maintenance that was required and even worked on the Construction of His churches new Ministry Center helping with some of the finish Carpentry that needed to be done while he was in his 70's. Ron was also known for his bicycle riding which started during his professional career but continued throughout retirement. Ron would wake up at 4am every morning and ride his bike 5 miles to get his day started. Even after he stopped riding his bike he would still regularly take walks to make sure he would get proper exercise. Ron was able to enjoy the last years of his life at home with his wife Selma with the help of their children and grandchildren that would take care of daily meals and and chores around the house. Ron was the head of the Vining home for so many great and wonderful years and will be deeply missed. All are welcome to attend a special Celebration of Life at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 800 Cass Street, Monterey, Ca on June 24, 2017 at 2:00pm. A reception is to follow in the Bethlehem Ministry Center. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donating to a charity of choice in Ron's name.