Reverend Larry Douglas Vinton

Reverend Larry Douglas VintonMay 15, 1935 – May 26, 2025Reverend Larry Douglas Vinton, a devoted pastor, loving husband, father, grandfather, and a humble servant of Christ, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2025, at the age of 90. Born in Alma, Michigan, on May 15, 1935, Larry’s life was marked by a deep and abiding faith, a passion for ministry, and a legacy of quiet strength and compassion. His journey into the pastoral ministry began in an unexpected way. Though initially skeptical, Larry found himself drawn to the teachings of the scripture and the salvation for all through Christ, as explained through the Lutheran church. After spirited conversations with the pastor and twenty weeks of Bible instruction, both he and his wife, Betty Jean, became members of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Midland, Michigan. At the time, Larry was working at Dow Chemical, supporting a young family with no clear path to seminary. But a calling stirred in his heart. When the dream of ministry seemed out of reach, an anonymous act of generosity changed everything. A wealthy church member—believed to be a daughter of Herbert Henry Dow—provided a scholarship that covered seminary tuition and living expenses for six years. Soon after, their unsold house miraculously sold for cash, and a donor-purchased home across from the seminary became theirs to live in, rent-free.Larry graduated from the Seminary in Detroit on June 18, 1971, at the age of 36. He was ordained and installed as pastor of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Marietta, Georgia, on July 13, 1972, where he served faithfully for 12 years. He later served congregations in Hillman, Michigan, and returned to Detroit in 1987 to pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church—his former seminary—until his retirement in 2007.After retirement, Larry and Betty moved to Acworth, Georgia, to be near their children and grandchildren. They worshipped at Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church in Hiram and later at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Marietta, where all of their children and their families are members. Even in retirement, Larry continued to minister in quiet, powerful ways. He worked part-time at Publix in Acworth, where his gentle spirit and kind words touched the lives of many. Customers returned just to see him, and one even credited his encouragement with saving their life. Larry was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty, who passed away on August 17, 2022. He is survived by his children: Brent (Pam) Vinton, Kimberly (Tom) Russell, and Shaun (Tim) Riley; his grandchildren: April (Kit) Forshee, Ryan (Marti) Vinton, Eric (Stephanie) Vinton, Jonathan (Brittany) Tillery, Justin Tillery, Michelle (Jeff) Hollcroft, and Stephanie (Jim) Gregory; and 21 great-grandchildren who were the joy of his later years. His life was a testament to the power of faith, the impact of generosity, and the enduring grace of God. The anonymous gift that made his ministry possible continues to bear fruit through the lives he touched and the legacy he leaves behind. A Visitation will be held at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Marietta, Georgia, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 11:30 AM, followed by the Funeral Service at 1:00 PM. A graveside service will take place immediately afterward at Cheatham Hill Memorial Park.