Alden Vining, Jr.

Alden Vining, Jr.

July 1, 1935 - May 8, 2025

Morgan City, Louisiana

Alden Vining, Jr., passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the age of 89, surrounded by his loving family.

A native and lifelong resident of Morgan City, Alden was born on the bayou on July 1st, 1935, to the late Alden Adam Vining, Sr. and Delta Pennison Vining. The youngest of five children, Alden grew up on a houseboat on Pique Bayou in an area better known as the “Pit.” He graduated from Morgan City High School in 1954 where he played football and was a member of the boxing team. While growing up, Alden never met a stranger. His friends nicknamed him the “Mayor of Klingsville” because he knew everybody in town. From his early life to his later years, Alden remained a hardworking, kind-hearted, devoted man. His charm, fun-loving personality and playful sense of humor helped him and those around him find laughter and enjoyment in everyday life.

At 15, Alden began his career in the oilfield, working summer jobs as a deckhand and roughneck for Kerr McGee and Phillips 66. In 1957, he started working as a roustabout for Shell Oil Company, working a 7 and 7 rotation. When he wasn’t offshore, he was busy owning and operating a local washateria in town and also served as a Lieutenant in the Army National Guard. On his time off, Alden would spend his days coaching Little League and his evenings out dancing. A night out on the town would lead him to meet the love of his life, Rosemarie Pecoraro. They married on July 17, 1960 and had two children. Becoming a father was undoubtedly Alden’s greatest source of pride and joy. An adoring husband and dad, he enthusiastically engaged in his children’s lives, filming and cheering them on every step of the way.

Throughout his life, Alden was active in community and religious activities. A man of strong faith, he was a parishioner of Holy Cross Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister. In the community, he was a member of the Morgan City Rotary Club Board of Directors, the St. Mary Parish School Board, Chairman of the City of Morgan City Swimming Pool Committee, a member of the Tiger Island Swim Team Board of Directors, the St. Mary Swim Team Board, the Lakewood Hospital Board of Directors, and also served as a volunteer tour guide at the “Mr. Charlie” Offshore Rig Museum. His love of dance and social life was evident in he and Rosemarie’s membership in the Krewe of Galatea and his role as King XXIV of the Krewe in 1993.

After working his way up the ranks at Shell for 35+ years, Alden retired at the age of 56. For the next 20 years of his life, he and Rosemarie would share “the adventure of a lifetime” traveling across the globe, visiting many countries in several continents around the world.

At the age of 74, Alden suffered a massive stroke leaving the right side of his body paralyzed. From that moment on, until he took his last breath, Alden fought the good fight. He met every health obstacle head on, with tenacity and grit, demonstrating an extraordinary level of resilience and determination. His constant faith, “never give up” attitude and positive outlook on life was truly an inspiration to all who knew him. During these years, he became a doting grandfather and even though he was physically limited in his abilities, he captivated his grandchildren with his charismatic charm.

His unparalleled strength and character will forever be his greatest legacy. In his final act of service, Alden donated his body for medical education and research to the LSU School of Medicine. His life was truly a testament to faith, family, service, loyalty, and love.

Alden was preceded in death by his parents, Alden and Delta Vining, brothers Laurie Vining and Archie Vining and sisters Lily Fabre and Ruth “Tina” Hebert.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Rosemarie Vining, with whom he would soon celebrate 65 years of marriage; his children: Valerie Webster (Darrell) of Berwick, LA; Michael Vining (Diana) of Houston, TX; five grandchildren: Sophie Webster, Audrey Webster, Cameron Webster, Vivienne Vining and Oliver Vining and one great grandchild, Maryam Webster.

The family would like to extend sincere gratitude and appreciation to his amazing and cherished caregivers- Cindi, Evelyn, Gail and Mona, and to Jennifer and Crystal with Hope Hospice for their compassionate care and support during his final days. Additionally, an extra special thank you is expressed to Mouna for her attentiveness and love for Alden and Rosemarie over the past 10+ years and also to Paul Vella, friend and neighbor, for his continual love and support.

Family and Friends of Alden are invited to attend a Memorial Visitation on Friday, May 16, 2025, from 9:30am- 11am at Holy Cross Catholic Church. A Memorial Mass will follow at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Holy Cross Catholic Church or to the “Mr. Charlie” Rig Museum.