Vinton Dale Laseter, died at the age of 83, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Service: A private family service, 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 10, 2020 in Biggers Funeral Home Chapel.
Committal with military honors: 1:30 pm, at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
The family urges those at risk for COVID-19 to participate by watching the video posted on the Biggers Funeral Home site after the service.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, may be made to Refuge of Light, Tyler, Texas, a home for trafficked and expoited inor women, through their website: https://www.refugeoflight.org/donate/ or Refuge & Hope International, Kampala, Uganda, helping Ugandan refugees become self-suffieient through their website: http://www.refugeandhope.org.
Mr. Laseter was born October 18, 1936 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Hoyt Watson and Onice Idell (Mitchell) Laseter. He was faithful to his wife, in a profession not always characterized by marital faithfulness. He was faithful in his duty to his country, as indicated by the many decorations he received for his military service. Most of all, he was faithful to his God. His love of God was evident in all aspects of his life, from how he interacted with all of the people around him to his service as a leader in all of the churches he and his family attended over the years. He sought always to follow God’s calling on his life, eventually becoming a Christian minister and then following God’s call to become a missionary in Africa.
He met his future wife, Carol Ann Kincannon, while he was in training to become an US Air Force officer. They were married after a short courtship, and their relationship was one that set a sound base as a family for their four children. The sense of belonging in the family wasn’t limited to Vinton, Carol and their children. Others who had no family nearby often found a place to belong at the Laseter home, from high school students to young adults to single men and women serving on military bases where the family lived. On the missionary field in Transkei, South Africa, Vinton was Tata (dad) to a whole crop of African young adults, while Carol was Mama. These young adults often sought wisdom from Tata or Mama. Vinton’s sense of humor and care for all those around him transcended culture and language. Once back in the USA, Vinton and Carol’s home became a favored vacation/holiday location for their family. The grandchildren all looked forward to outings with Pappaw on the “ranch”.
During his military service at bases in the United States, Vietnam, and Germany, his honor and integrity were obvious to his fellow military personnel. He served with distinction, and continued to look for the best in each of the people with whom he worked. Although he didn’t talk about it much, his family all knew how proud he was of his country and the individuals with whom he served.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hoyt and Onice Laseter; and brother, Royce Laseter.
The family wishes to thank everyone at James L West Dementia Care & Community Hospice of Texas for their exceptional and compassionate care.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Carol; his daughters, Joan Ward and her husband, Rafe Ward, Jean Alley and her husband, Ron Alley, Teresa Christian and her husband, Dr. Tom Christian; his son, Terry Laseter; grandchildren, Rebecca and Benjamin Alley; Kyle, Chase and Cameron Cline; Taylor, Nathan, Cadie and Jamie Laseter, Seth Hoeffner; and Daphne Ward.
Vinton, as husband, father, and grandfather will be missed greatly by all of them.