Vernon Riley Tinsler, III

Vernon Riley Tinsler III, 65, passed away at his home on Oct. 27, 2012. Vern was born in Springfield , Ohio on May 12, 1947 to Veron Riley, Jr. and Maude Turner Tinsler. He grew up in the Springfield and Dearborn, Michigan area with his brother and two sisters.

Tinsler was a truck driver until his motorcycle accident at the age of forty. While his rescue was miraculous, he struggled with brain injury and limited use of his right arm and leg for the next 25 years.

Tinsler moved to Clifton, Colo., to be closer to his mother. About six years ago he moved to Moab. Tinsler was social and made many friends. He often went to the Senior Center and added joy to the lives of the staff and people who go there to eat. He instituted “Orange Day”, where everyone who came on that day was encouraged to wear orange.

Tinsler was a perfect host, always offering his special “elixir of life” and making sure, before you did anything else, that he had caught up on events in your life. He was generous and caring. Vern was a bit rough on the outside but he had a big heart. He cared deeply about his friends; playing backgammon, talking, and worrying about their lives and happiness.

Tinsler did not suffer injustices to anyone lightly. If he was concerned about you, he would do everything he could to help out, and he was appreciative for everything people did for him. He never ever could thank them enough.

He is survived by a brother, Greg (Mary) Tinsler; a sister, Julie VanBuskirk; and by a niece and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister Lucy Ann Tinsler.

At Tinsler’s request cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.