City of Clinton officials announced Monday afternoon that the coming home processional would be April 2 for killed in the line of duty firefighter Michael Vinson.
Fire Department public information officer Krystal D. Langston said the procession route would leave Prisma Greenville, travel I-85 to I-385, exit the interstate at Exit 9 and proceed through the Downtown Square in Laurens and on to Kennedy Mortuary.
His funeral is today (April 5).
Clinton Mayor Randy Randall said the city has been “overwhelmed” by the nationwide outpouring of concern and offers of help for the Clinton Fire Department and the Laurens County Fire Service, both of which Vinson served as a firefighter. He died on Sunday - Easter Sunday - as a result of injuries sustained in a fire truck vs car accident at the Springdale Drive - Willard Road intersection in Clinton. Vinson and firefighter Nate Hall were responding to a call for service at a location off I-26. Langston said she could not discuss details of the SC Highway Patrol investigation.
She said Vinson was “well-known and well-liked,” and plans would be developed for a way to honor his legacy as a first responder. Vinson started his Laurens County first response career in 2013 as an Explorer at the Ekom Beach Fire Department, west of Laurens. He came to work for Laurens County in October 2020 and with Clinton in May 2023. He lived at home with his family, and does not have a spouse or children.
Firefighter Hall is recovering at home, Langston said.
Mike Mike, as Vinson was known, was “quiet at first, but he opened up; he was soft-spoken,” Langston said.
Support has come from across the nation and within the community, she said.
The State Fire Marshal is assisting Clinton with the response to Vinson’s death. They are developing a list of the responding departments which provided aid at the accident scene, and with the personnel needs of the Clinton Fire Department and the Laurens County Fire Service.
“This is a sad time in the life of our city,” Mayor Randall said, “with all of our first responders, everyone that’s involved. These folks put their lives on the line every day and we are so thankful for them.
“We send our condolences to the Vinson family. We have been overwhelmed by offers of assistance from all over the state. I’ve gotten mayors from all of our cities and also the Municipal Association, they have all responded and offered any assistance that we might need.
“We so much appreciate that.”
GoFundMe link here.
By The City of Clinton
The City closes its offices at 11 a.m. Friday for the Vinson funeral
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
The Clinton Fire Department and Laurens County Fire Service would like to thank those within our communities and across the nation for the continued calls and messages of condolences and support for the loss of Firefighter Michael Vinson. The heartfelt expressions of support have carried both of our agencies during this difficult time. We asked for continued prayers for the family of Firefighter Michael Vinson and all First Responder agencies involved.
Firefighter Michael Vinson, known by most as “Mike, Mike”, was not only a firefighter with the Clinton Fire Department but also with the Laurens County Fire Service. Firefighter Vinson began his fire career at Ekom Beach Volunteer Fire Department as an Explorer in December 13, 2013 at the age of 16. He began his service with the Laurens County Fire Service in October of 2020 and served in the rank of “Firefighter Engineer and Emergency Medical Responder”. Firefighter Vinson began with the Clinton Fire Department in May 9th, 2023 and his service ended at the age of 27. He was well known and well-liked by all who served with him at both the Clinton Fire Department and the Laurens County Fire Service.
Firefighter Nathan “Nate” Hall was flown to Spartanburg Regional Hospital yesterday morning due to injuries sustained. Firefighter Hall was treated for his injuries and released yesterday afternoon, to recover at home. Fire Chief Jeremy Marshall spoke with Firefighter Hall this morning and Firefighter Hall stated he is doing ok. Firefighter Nathan Hall was hired with the Clinton Fire Department in December of 2022. Firefighter Hall holds the rank of “firefighter” with the Clinton Fire Department and serves our City on Clinton Fire Department’s A Shift. We ask that you keep Firefighter Hall and his family in your thoughts and prayers as he recovers.
Tomorrow, April 2, 2024 at 10:00am, a procession is planned to bring Firefighter Vinson back home to Laurens County. The route to be taken is as follows:
The procession will leave from Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital and take 185 to interstate 385. The procession will exit Interstate 385 at Exit 9, Laurens exit. The procession will
follow 221 all the way in to Laurens and turn right onto Main Street. The procession will pass through the Square in Laurens, going to Kennedy Mortuary.
More information will be made available as it is received.
The funeral arrangements for Firefighter Michael Vinson will be as follows:
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Kennedy Mortuary located at 606 West Main Street in Laurens, SC 29360. Visitation will be held from 5:00pm until those who want to pay their respects to the family have been able to; as long as the family can.
The Funeral Service will be held at 2:00pm at Union Baptist Church, located at 536 Old Quaker Church Road, Laurens, SC 29360. The service will be available to family, church members, fire department members from Clinton Fire Department and Laurens County Fire Service, and other dignitaries.
An overflow location for funeral service has been determined, Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church (499 Chestnut Ridge Rd, Laurens, SC) and will be available for all other attendees. Chestnut Ridge Baptist will be providing a video feed of the funeral service for those in attendance.
There will be a procession of fire apparatus and others attending the service. The route will begin at Kennedy Mortuary & Crematory, 606 W Main St., Laurens, SC traveling west to HWY 252, left on Neely Ferry Rd to Old Quaker Church Rd to the church. Those that are in the procession that are viewing the funeral service at the overflow church, will be directed to take Dial Place to Cain Rd to the church.
A staging location for all media at Union Baptist Church will be identified, but family and Union Baptist Church has requested that media not come into the church during the service or at the graveside service.
No further Press Briefings will be held. All further information will be made available through Press Releases.
Michael “Mike Mike”
Douglas Vinson
LAURENS - Michael “Mike Mike” Douglas Vinson, age 27, of Laurens, passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2024 in the line of duty as a fireman.
Born in Anderson, he was the son of Phillip Douglas and Christy Clark Vinson. Michael was a fireman with both Laurens County and Clinton City Fire Departments. Mike Mike was a kind soul with a servant’s heart.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by a grandfather, Robert Vinson; a grandmother, Crystal Clark; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Michael is predeceased by a grandmother, Kathy Vinson and a grandfather, Mike Clark.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 5, 2024 at Union Baptist Church in Laurens, conducted by Rev. Kenny Moore and Rev. Bryant Sims.
The family will receive friends at The Kennedy Mortuary from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2024.
The family will be at the home.
His parents’ last words: “Meet me at the Gate.”
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.thekennedymortuary.com.
The Kennedy Mortuary & Crematory, Inc.
