Carl Joseph Vinton, 76, Bonners Ferry, Idaho, passed away on April 7, 2024, after a long battle with diabetes. He was born on February 18, 1948, the third of 14 children. A simple celebration of life will be held this summer.
As a child he grew up migrant farming, traveling from state-to-state harvesting fruits and vegetables. He had many great stories to tell of his childhood adventures.
Carl was as strong as an ox and the hardest working man you would ever meet. He was a devoted family man who took great pride in working with his family. He was a hunter, spending lots of time in the woods with his son and grandsons looking for elk and deer. He sure could find them, too. He was a fisherman, loving to be out on the water catching dinner. He was an amazing farmer. He spent many years growing a successful spruce tree farm in Bonners Ferry, in his younger years he farmed potatoes in Oregon. He was a traveler, making many trips to Alaska with his wife to fish for salmon and halibut.
Carl moved to Bonners in 1980, bringing 30 wild mustangs with him. His family settled up on the Moyie river where he raised his kids for several years. As Carl and the family moved around Boundary County, he planted many fruit orchards. He grew amazing gardens and always ensured that the family’s freezers and pantry were full and ready for the winter. Neighbors reaped the benefits of Carl’s amazing gardens enjoying fresh produce throughout the growing season.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marie Vinton, daughter Dawn Vinton, son James (Julie) Vinton, grandchildren Carl James (CJ) Vinton, Kassandra (Jake Markut) Vinton, Christopher Jeppesen and Patrick (Tabitha) Vinton, and three great-grandchildren, Dante, Domanic and the newest arrival, Eleanore Vinton, who arrived early, just in time to meet her great-grandpa before his passing.
Carl will be deeply missed by his family and friends.