Funeral services for Danny M. Vines of Hudson will be held Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Justin Thompson and Reverend Cindy Doran officiating. Masonic graveside services will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park under the auspices of the Lufkin Masonic Lodge #669 A.F. & A.M.
Devoted husband, driven entrepreneur, passionate conservative republican, and man of unyielding optimism passed away peacefully in his home in Hudson, Texas Friday, October 13, 2023 at the age of 67. While battling heart failure, his body also succumbed to an unrelenting brain injury he had sustained two years prior. Danny was born in Lufkin, Texas February 12, 1956 to Dan M. and Drapon (Ritchie) Vines. He attended SFASU where he pledged Phi Delta Theta and graduated in 1978 with a BS in Forestry. He married the love of his life in 1976, had two children, two grandchildren, and celebrated 47 years of marriage on August 21, 2023. A Lufkin native, Danny profusely supported community and education. He served on numerous boards and committees such as the Hudson Water Board and the Angelina Appraisal Review Board District. He served as Pledge Master and Alumni Advisor for Phi Delta Theta. He supremely enjoyed serving as Chair of SFASU Real Estate Foundation Board of Directors from 1998-Present and as Trustee on the SFASU Foundation Board of Trustees from 1993-Present. He was a Master Class sporting clays shooter, taking the honor of High Volume Shooter from 2014-2017. He served as President of Pines Gun Club in Lufkin, Texas and President of the Texas Sporting Clays Association.
He lived to blaze trails in Business. He was an exceptional hunter developing and managing several trophy deer leases in Texas while also hunting the world over from Africa to Australia and Canada to South America. He enjoyed the Art of Negotiation, shooting his Krieghoff shotgun, accelerating to G-force in his Camaro while air-playing the piano, watching Fox News and drinking RC Cola. He was stubborn, unyielding and obstinate while also generous, loyal and uncompromising in his values. He loved shooting with his grandson Peyton and "collecting nature" with his granddaughter Nora. He despised beavers, thistles and liberal antics. Stoic by nature and a leader by heart his ambitions never expired. He spent a lifetime making the impossible look easy. He was a true gentleman and a tough negotiator. Defeat he did not know for he believed one should always advance and never retreat. He was modest and conservative with a hallmark for sending beautiful flowers to his wife, daughter, granddaughter, closest friends and family. The only dream he never tangibly attained during his life was to be a fighter pilot. So, we are sure he burst into heaven behind the controls of twin jet engines with his aviator sunglasses.
Danny is survived by his wife, Nancy Vines; son, Matt Vines; son-in-law and daughter, David and Haley Womack; two grandchildren, Peyton Vines and Nora Womack; brother-in-law and sister, Bobby and Barbara Ferguson; brother-in-law and sister, Lee and Marion Durand; brother and sister-in-law, David and Martha Vines; 10 nieces and nephews and their families; aunt, Nell Northcutt; special cousins, Ladoyett and Letha Northcutt; and aunt and uncle, Joyce and JC Hounshell.
He was preceded in death by his parents and mother-in-law, Wanda O'Neill.
Pallbearers will be Masons from the Lufkin Masonic Lodge #669 A.F. & A.M.
Memorial contributions may be made to a special memorial fund established through the Lonestar Shooting Sports Foundation and the Texas Sporting Clays Association in memory of Past President of TSCA, Danny M. Vines to support scholarships for youth shooters. Contributions may be mailed to: LSS Foundation, 5937 Republic of Texas Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78735. Please include in the memo field "TSCA Memorial Fund", or you may make a donation online by visiting this website: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=AWDZK6M2G6PA8.
The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.
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Brent D. Wiltshire #410
Danny Vines #318, was an inspiring person. He was an alumni, while i was in schoool. He "inspired us as pledges". He inspired us at the OE - Outdoor Excursion, Last day of pledgeship at his ranch............................."( leave it to your imagination). Danny was instrumental in the building of the chapter house and a supporter of the chapter while i was there in the 1980's. He had numerous successful businesses and also was involved with competitive Skeet shooting. You could "count on Danny"
Rest in Peace Brother!
Brett Merritt #544
RIP Danny! The whispers would start and as a pledge you knew you were in for an interesting Sunday evening when Danny rolled into town. Danny was one of the nicest guys. Prayers for his family.
Rick Freeman #289
Danny Vines was a can do worker! He walked the walk when most talked the talk! You could count on Danny to do what he promised. He was one heck of a Housemother!! Rest in Peace Danny!
Steve Dorsett #321
Danny was a larger than life person! He lived his life in a way that taught many of his pledge brothers to think bigger than we were use to. He was 100% committed to putting everything he had into seeing that his dreams and ideas were successful! He was the most determined person I have ever known. Danny also was kind enough to let many of his friends share some great experiences with him as he lived his big and colorful life!
It was a pleasure and honor to know Danny Vines!
Steve Dorsett
#321
Craig Moritz #432
We had an alumni gathering last night in Houston with about 20 alums. There were many stories told about the different generations of Danny coming in for pledgeship. He definitely left an impression for many pledge classes, all with laughter. Thank you for that, Danny.
Robert L Leboeuf #84
I never had the pleasure of meeting Brother Vines in person but knew him by virtue of his reputation as being very supportive of Texas Eta. He was a credit to himself and to our fraternity; may he Rest In Peace.
In Coelo Quies Est
Robert L. LeBoeuf #84
Jeffrey Millet #340
I haven't seen Danny since college daze but he certainly loomed large in my perception of him as a Phikiaea. In other words I was scared sh&#less of him. Our Pledge Master John Kingham occasionally had him drop by for a few "Guest Appearances" at our pledge meeting to add a little extra Marine drill sargeant style "inspiration" and "motivation". We trembled at the sight of that red step-side pickup truck rolling up to the house. He taught us how to dip shotgun pellets in yer lip and not swallow any, among other party tricks. And he was a big "factor" at O.E., which may have been hosted at his ranch. After we were inducted, we learned that under all that bluster and bravado, was a guy of rock solid character who'd do anything to help a friend. May he RIP.
John Cosby #320
Danny was one of my pledge brothers and unfortunately I only saw him since we graduated. I believe he was a songbird during OE and he did make a helluva of a Housemother. He was a hardworker during pledgeship and I'm sure he was in his business career. RIP phikeia brother.