Vinal Elmer Pack
Feb. 20, 1928 - Aug. 16, 2022

Vinal passed peacefully at home and went to be with his Lord on August 16th at the age of 94. He was a beloved husband, dad, brother, papa, great papa and uncle.

Vinal was born in Arcata to Elmer and Louise Pack on February 20, 1928. Three years and one day later his sister, Lodena, was born. Vinal and Lodena were raised with their first cousins Gene and Bob Cochran and the two families did most everything together, including church, Sunday meals, camping, family trips and going to the 1939 World’s Fair.

Vinal attended Arcata Grammar School and then graduated from Arcata High School in 1946. He played both basketball and baseball. Having enlisted in the Army, he served 18 months from 1946 to 1948 receiving both the WWII Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal Japan. On returning home from service, he attended two years at Humboldt State University majoring in business until he decided he wasn’t a student.

In 1951, Vinal met Neoma when his sister invited her co-worker to church. On their first or second date he told her “we will go together for awhile but I’m going to marry you.” Eleven months later, on August 23, 1952, Vinal and Neoma were married at the First Baptist Church of Arcata which was on 14th Street at that time. They began their life together with Neoma’s son, Fred, age 10. Four years later they welcomed a daughter Debbie. After almost seven more years they drove to San Francisco to welcome their much planned for second daughter Pam, by adoption. As a family there were many trips to Kansas to visit Neoma’s family as well as camping trips here in California.

Vinal worked mostly in the timber industry. For a time he worked for Christian’s Dairy as a milkman. He eventually went to work for Simpson Timber Company at the Korbel mill, where he worked for 25 years, 20 years grading lumber and the last five years on third shift cleanup when his department closed.

Vinal was a life long member of Arcata First Baptist Church. He loved the Lord and enjoyed serving his church. He sang in the choir, taught many Sunday School classes, was the head of Christian education, was on the Board of Trustees, head of the Deacon Board, served as an usher, was on the nance committee, and served on two pastoral search committees that brought Pastors Michael Petrillo and Dr Clay Ford. He volunteered with the Eureka Rescue Mission monthly playing the piano and taking turns giving the Christian message.

Vinal enjoyed vegetable gardening and for many years had a huge garden that he spent many hours tending. He also grew beautiful roses in both their Arcata home and then on Hidden Valley Rd in Bayside. He loved to read and would often read three to four books at one time. He had a lifetime love of movies beginning in his youth when he went to every change of movie at the Minor and Arcata Theaters. Vinal was a lifelong fan of the San Francisco 49ers and the San Francisco Giants. He was able to watch the 49ers win their first preseason game and watch the Giants win while eating a big bowl of ice cream the night before he passed.

Vinal is survived by his daughters, Debra (Stan) Woodman and Pamela Notter; his sister Lodena Tidwell; six grandchildren, Melissa, Laura, Meredith, Emily, Justin and Lauren; 15 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Vinal was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years Neoma, his step-son Fred E. Brown and his parents Elmer and Louise. Vinal’s family is thankful for the care Vinal received through Agape Home Care for the past three and a half years. We are so glad we had Dad with us for 94 years. A small family graveside gathering was held at Greenwood Cemetery.

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The obituary above was submitted by Vinal Pack’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.