SIKESTON -- Kenneth Samuel Vinson, 73, of Belle Glade, Fla., died Friday, Oct. 11, 1996, at Everglades Regional Medical Center in Pahokee, Fla.

He was born Dec. 27, 1922, in Hickman County, Ky., son of Samuel Richmond and Pamie Lou Scott Vinson. He and Nellie Vangilder were married April 18, 1942, at Benton. He later married L. Ellen Tanner Sutton Moose in May 1966.

Vinson was a building contractor and a club pro and manager at Sikeston Country Club and Belle Glade Country Club. He was a member of American Legion and Elks Lodge in Belle Glade, and a 32nd Degree Mason at Lodge 310 AF&AM.

He served in the Third Army during World War II and received a Purple Heart.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Linda Elliott of Memphis, Tenn., Shirley Pearce of Sikeston; two stepsons, William Sutton of Kansas City, Hugh Moose of Albuquerque, N.M.; a stepdaughter, Ellen Murphy of Jefferson City; a brother, John Vinson of Margate, Fla.; a sister, LaVerne Yates of Sikeston; five grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and four stepgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son and three brothers.

Friends may call at Nunnelee Funeral Home from 5-8 p.m. today. A Masonic service will be held at 7:30.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. The Rev. Charles E. Buck will officiate, with burial in Garden of Memories Cemetery.