Fred Horace Vines

Fred Horace Vines, Jr. of Mountain Brook, Alabama passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on October 30, 2016 at the age of 93. He grew up in the Bessemer area, and after graduating from Bessemer High School, Fred entered the University of Alabama College of Engineering. While a freshman, Fred enlisted in World War II in the US Army Air Corps. He was stationed in Africa performing services to keep up with airplanes being ferried for use in the war. Upon returning home, Fred finished his degree in Civil Engineering, graduating with honors and was given a position to teach two civil engineering courses at the University. One of his proudest experiences was playing the tuba in the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band. He married his wife Carolyn Parsons in 1943, who passed away after 33 years of marriage. In 1993, he married Sharon Hydinger, and they enjoyed 23 years of marriage together. Throughout his career as a civil engineer in business development, Fred worked for several major engineering companies including Palmer & Baker, Mobile, AL, Ford, Bacon & Davis, Monroe, LA, Rust Engineering, and BE & K Engineers. He was heavily involved in the engineering design of many projects. Some of his projects included major highways in New Orleans including the Lake Pontchartrain Bridge and the interstate tunnel under the Mobile River. He also helped with the design of the interstate highway system in the Birmingham area. His career later brought him to Louisville, KY, where he worked to design 37 interstate bridges. He was very active in Kentucky social, public, and political activities. Gov. Louis Nunn appointed Fred to the committee to plan activities for the 100th Running of the Roses at Churchill Downs race track. Fred retired from his career as an engineer in 1991 and formed two companies in Birmingham specializing in Real Estate Property Management. He was a member of the National Association of Home Builders Multifamily Council and awarded property manager of the year in 1993 by the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders. Fred was preceded in death by his parents Rev. Fred Horace Vines, Sr. and Stella Irene Moore Vines, his sister Margaret Gloria Vines Benson and brother in law Joseph Byrum Benson, his brother John Edwin Vines and sister in law Martha McCollum Vines, stepson Raymond Footh Hydinger and his high school sweetheart and wife Carolyn Ann Parsons Vines. He is survived by his wife Sharon Hydinger Vines, daughters Lynn Vines Lantz and Vicki Vines Smith (Don). Granddaughters Heather Lantz Rowles (Matt), Ginger Lantz Dutton (Jon), Jennifer Lantz McDonald (Clay), Carolyn Adele Smith and Elizabeth Marie Smith. Great grandchildren Jackson Davis Dutton, Joseph Felder Dutton, Cooper Vines Dutton, and James Afton Rowles. His wife Sharon's family, also dear to his heart, includes her children Elbridge Thornton Hydinger, Jr. (Laura) and Steven Conary Hydinger (Dr. Susan Salter). Grandchildren Elbridge Thornton Hydinger, III, Sarah Randall Hydinger, Salter Conary Hydinger, and Grayson Steven Hydinger. Fred's many beloved nieces and nephews include Sallie Vines White (Noah), David Benson (Josephine), Doug Benson (Suzanne), JoAnne Benson Ballantine (Roy Busby) and Lisa Benson Patterson. The family would like to also acknowledge special friendship with Dr. Joe Lantz and Jimmy Patty. The family would also like to thank the following for their care and friendship; Alberta Lee, Nigel Kepple, Gloria Carter and Velma Bell. All who knew and loved Fred will remember him for his loving and gentle spirit, strong work ethic, and affection for his family. Throughout his life, he loved spending time with his family relaxing at Lake Martin, flying airplanes, working on his many sports cars, and cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide. He was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Friends and family will gather to celebrate Fred's life on Wednesday November 2, 2016 with visitation in St Luke's Episcopal Church courtyard, 3736 Montrose Rd, 35213, at 2:00 PM with service following at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church or a charity of choice