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A memorial service has been set for Saturday, Aug. 25, for John Vincent, who served as principal of Ladera School from 1968 to 1978 and vice principal of La Entrada School for many years. He died July 18 at age 84.

The service will be held at 3 p.m. at Centerpointe Presbyterian Church, 3410 Cornerstone Court in Pleasanton.

Mr. Vincent, who spent much of his career in the Las Lomitas School District, was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He graduated from the United College in Winnipeg in 1950 with a degree in psychology/sociology.

Shortly after graduating, he moved to California, worked on the Southern Pacific Railroad, and then was drafted into the U.S. Army at the beginning of the Korean War. After basic training, he was sent to Germany as a psychiatric/social worker.

Upon discharge in 1953, he became an elementary school teacher. Along with his roles as a principal and vice principal in the Las Lomitas School District, he taught at many grade levels. Early in his career, he left the district and spent a year teaching in a native school in Cordova, Alaska.

Academically, he received a master's degree in educational administration at San Jose State University and a second master's in family counseling from Santa Clara University.

After retiring from Las Lomitas School District in 1988, he became a juvenile probation officer for San Mateo County. He worked in East Palo Alto until 2002, when he and his wife moved from San Jose to Pleasanton.

Mr. Vincent was a master wood carver and member of the Tri-Valley Carvers. He was involved in the Wounded Warrior Eagle Head Project, which makes elaborate carved canes for wounded veterans in local hospitals.

He was an accomplished pipe organist, having studied under Herbert Sadlow of London, say family members.

A deeply religious man, Mr. Vincent was a member of Centerpointe Church in Pleasanton. During his lifetime, he sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, served as an elder and deacon, and led many mission trips to Guatemala and Alaska. When he lived in San Jose, he was a volunteer at the San Jose Rescue Mission.

Mr. Vincent is survived by his wife of 56 years, Elaine; children Dan of Folsom, Mark of San Jose, and Cary of Pleasanton; sister Joan of Hemet; and two grandchildren.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Alaska Bible College Scholarship Fund, P/O. Box 289, Glenallen, Alaska 99588 or a charity of choice.

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