In Memory Of
James Thornton Vest
1932
2023
James Thornton Vest
January 29, 1932 — February 16, 2023
James (Jim) Vest, 91, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2023.
He was born on January 29, 1932 in Covington, Kentucky to the late James and Mildred (Thornton) Vest.
Jim was a member of: Gateway Lodge #109 of Covington, KY, Scottish Rite of Covington, KY, Syrian Shriner Temple of Cincinnati, American Legion of Marion Il and was a Kentucky Colonel. He started for the Walton-Verona High School basketball team in the eighth grade through senior year (1946-1950).
He graduated from Western Kentucky State College (WKU) (where he also played basketball). He would return to Walton-Verona High School and become the head basketball coach. Jim was inducted into the Northern Kentucky High School Athletic Directors' Hall of Fame in June, 1995 and the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame in April, 1996.
He also enjoyed playing bocce with his many friends and was an avid golfer (including two hole-in-ones in one year).
Jim enjoyed many types of music (Country, Blues, Rock but most of all Jazz). He enjoyed going to many concerts with his family. One of his favorite memories was when he (along with a good friend) was invited by Louis Armstrong to ride with him and the band on a tour bus from Cincinnati to Dayton Oh.
Jim is survived by his sons, William Michael "Mick" (Anita) Vest, Thomas Kendall "Tom" Vest, five grandchildren, Brenda Vest, Derek Vest, Michelle Rodgers, Jeffrey Knowles (Dana), Christopher Knowles and two great-grandchildren, Aaron Rodgers and Sarah Rodgers.
He also leaves behind a large number of devoted friends in Herrin Il. where he resided before returning to Kentucky (Louisville) and the many other lifelong friends he knew along the way.
Per Jim's wishes cremation was chosen and a private celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
Special thanks to Valhalla Acute Care and Hosparus for the caring staff that tended to him during his final journey.
The family requests that contributions in Jims' memory be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children and/or Hosparus of Louisville.
To leave a special message for the family, please use the "Share Memories" portion below.
He was born on January 29, 1932 in Covington, Kentucky to the late James and Mildred (Thornton) Vest.
Jim was a member of: Gateway Lodge #109 of Covington, KY, Scottish Rite of Covington, KY, Syrian Shriner Temple of Cincinnati, American Legion of Marion Il and was a Kentucky Colonel. He started for the Walton-Verona High School basketball team in the eighth grade through senior year (1946-1950).
He graduated from Western Kentucky State College (WKU) (where he also played basketball). He would return to Walton-Verona High School and become the head basketball coach. Jim was inducted into the Northern Kentucky High School Athletic Directors' Hall of Fame in June, 1995 and the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame in April, 1996.
He also enjoyed playing bocce with his many friends and was an avid golfer (including two hole-in-ones in one year).
Jim enjoyed many types of music (Country, Blues, Rock but most of all Jazz). He enjoyed going to many concerts with his family. One of his favorite memories was when he (along with a good friend) was invited by Louis Armstrong to ride with him and the band on a tour bus from Cincinnati to Dayton Oh.
Jim is survived by his sons, William Michael "Mick" (Anita) Vest, Thomas Kendall "Tom" Vest, five grandchildren, Brenda Vest, Derek Vest, Michelle Rodgers, Jeffrey Knowles (Dana), Christopher Knowles and two great-grandchildren, Aaron Rodgers and Sarah Rodgers.
He also leaves behind a large number of devoted friends in Herrin Il. where he resided before returning to Kentucky (Louisville) and the many other lifelong friends he knew along the way.
Per Jim's wishes cremation was chosen and a private celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
Special thanks to Valhalla Acute Care and Hosparus for the caring staff that tended to him during his final journey.
The family requests that contributions in Jims' memory be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children and/or Hosparus of Louisville.
To leave a special message for the family, please use the "Share Memories" portion below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Thornton Vest, please visit our flower store.
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