Parkston – Vinson T. Stirling, 84, went to his heavenly home Saturday, January 3, 2026 at his home near Parkston. Funeral service will be Saturday, January 10 at 10:00 am, with a visitation starting at 9:00 am at Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Parkston.

Vinson was born in Parkston on March 31, 1941 to Wallace L. and Frances (Gukeisen) Stirling. Vinson attended Stirling Country School and Parkston School for his grade school education and graduated from Parkston High School in 1960. During his senior year, Vinson played on the undefeated football team, an accomplishment he remained proud of throughout his life. He was also proud of being a fourth-generation farmer, working the land between Parkston and Milltown that his great-grandfather homesteaded in 1880. Throughout his farming life, Vinson raised a wide variety of crops, including milo, rye, oats, corn, and soybeans. He also raised livestock over the years, beginning with Shorthorn cattle and horses, later transitioning to Black Angus cattle. In earlier years, he raised hogs and kept plenty of poultry as well. Vinson served his country honorably in the United States Army from May 1966 to May 1968, attaining the rank of E-5. His tour of duty was in Korea, where he served as an aircraft maintenance crewman.

After retiring, Vinson found joy in simple daily routines. He cherished early morning coffee with friends at Boog’s. He was deeply devoted to his family, especially his mother, whom he faithfully visited every day at the nursing home for over five years. In later years, his favorite pastimes included watching westerns on television, especially Gunsmoke, and staying closely connected with his large family through frequent phone calls. Vinson will be remembered for his strong work ethic, mindfulness and practicality, loyalty to family, honesty, generosity, love of the land, and quiet dedication to those he cared about.

Grateful for having shared his life are his 2 sisters: Phyllis Stirling of Parkston and Nancy Stenson of Ft. Pierre, SD; 13 nieces and nephews; 27 great-nieces and great-nephews; and 31 great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Richard Stirling, Wallace F. Stirling, and stillborn twin brothers Orren and Lorren; sister-in-law, Nina Stirling; 2 brothers-in-law, Stanford Stenson and Bane Stirling; and a nephew, Paul Stirling.