Robert Luke Vining Jr.

The Honorable Judge Robert Luke Vining, Jr., passed peacefully on Thursday, September 1, 2022.  He was 91.  Born and raised in Murray County, he was the son of the late Robert Luke Vining, Sr., and Kate Jefferson Vining. His parents, his loving wife of 54 years, Martha Sue Cate Vining, and his wife Ivy Parks Vining preceded him in death.

Judge Vining grew up close to the courthouse in Murray County.  As a child, he knew he wanted to be a lawyer and often snuck into court.  He would sit in the balcony where he couldn’t be seen and was often aided in his endeavors by a bailiff who would sneak him in and sit in front of him to block him from view. He graduated from Murray County High School and attended Georgia Military Academy before enlisting in the United States Air Force.  He reached the rank of Staff Sargent and served as an air traffic controller.  He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Georgia, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law. He was in private practice at the Mitchell and McCamy firms in Dalton and served as Solicitor General of the Conasauga Judicial Circuit from 1963 to 1968. He served as Superior Court Judge of the Conasauga Judicial Circuit from 1969 to 1979.

On June 14, 1979, Vining was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.  He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 23, 1979, and received his commission the following day. He served as Chief Judge from 1995 to 1996, assuming senior status on March 31, 1996.

The Judge enjoyed fishing, golfing, and watching the Georgia Bulldogs play football. More than anything, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Mark Orr, and his granddaughters, Anna (Pat) Orr and Kate Orr.  He is also survived by stepchildren Vicki Neno, Phil and Randy Parks, and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 2 PM on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at the Dalton First United Methodist Church with Dr. Brian Clark officiating.  The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1 until 2 PM in the Atrium. Entombment will be in Chatsworth Heights Cemetery.  Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Fellowship Sunday School class, lawyers, staff, and friends from the McCamy Firm, current and retired judges of the Conasauga Judicial Circuit, and U.S. District Court Judges for the Northern District of Georgia.

The family will receive friends in the atrium of the church one hour prior to the service and at a reception immediately following the service at the Artistic Civic Theatre, 907 Gaston Street, Dalton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dalton First United Methodist Church Music Fund or to the Dalton Education Foundation.

The family wishes to thank the Norris family and Amedisys Hospice for the great care the Judge received over the past few years.