MAYFIELD, Ky.-- Dr. Jack D. Vincent, 91, passed away Saturday, July 21, 2018. The son of Bertie L. and Oma B. Vincent, he was born in Mayfield, Ky. on May 4, 1927 and was the beloved husband of Patricia Illers Vincent of Jackson, Mo., for 58 years. He was the father of two children, John B. Vincent of Tuscaloosa, Ala. and Edie Vincent Swihart of Pittsburgh, Pa; and six grandchildren: Catherine Allisa Vincent, Christina Elizabeth Vincent, Evan Vincent Swihart, Grace Emelyn Swihart, and Laura Rose Swihart.
Jack graduated from Mayfield High School in 1945. After serving in the Army Air Corps in Hawaii during the final stages of World War II, he graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., and then earned a Doctor of Education degree from the George Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. He taught high school students in Florida and Chicago before joining the faculty of Southeast Missouri State University in 1959. In 1967, he moved his family to Poplar Bluff, Mo., where he helped to found Three Rivers Community College and served as the school's first Vice President and Academic Dean. While living in Poplar Bluff, he served as President of the Chamber of Commerce and as Osage District Chairman for the Boy Scouts of America.
Jack returned to his hometown of Mayfield in 1977, where he became active in the First Presbyterian Church. He served as an elder and taught several church classes, as well as preaching as a lay minister for the Presbytery of Western Kentucky. He also served on the board of directors for Regions Bank (previously Liberty Bank) and was active in the Mayfield Rotary Club, which he served as president, study leader, and Swedish exchange program participant.
After retirement, Jack enjoyed traveling with his wife and spending time with friends in his morning coffee group at the Hall Hotel, afternoon coffee group at McDonald's, and Friday fish club at the hospital cafeteria. He loved the "big band" swing music of the forties and studying local history, and he was pleased to help write a history of the First Presbyterian church for its centennial celebration in 2004. First and foremost, however, Jack will be remembered as a die-hard fan of the Chicago Cubs, who graciously obliged his devotion by winning the World Series - after a 108-year drought - in his 90th year.
A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Mayfield, Ky. at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or to the Mayfield Rotary Club Scholarship Fund.
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