Charles Vernon

Charles Edward Vernon

January 23, 1938 – July 10, 2016

Charles Edward Vernon, age 78 of Layton, passed away Sunday, July 10, 2016, in Bountiful, Utah.

He was born January 23, 1938 in Anniston, Alabama, the son of Tyrus Edward and Arvilla Bowman Vernon.  He attended schools in Alabama and High School in Sydney, Nebraska, excelling in both academics and sports.  He joined the Navy in 1956 and served honorably for 4 years, stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.  While there he was a member of the prestigious SERVPAC Packers basketball team that won the All Navy Championship in 1959-1960. Towards the end of his service and while on leave in Utah to visit his parents, he met and fell in love with Jane Miles, whom he later married on December 26, 1959 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Chuck loved his family and his world centered around Jane and his 3 boys.  He was a wonderful husband and the best dad, grandpa, uncle, coach, and friend a person could have.  He worked selflessly to take care of his family and provide experiences that would bind them. Together they loved, played, and coached many sports, including baseball, basketball, and football. It is still said that he could hit a softball like no other.  He volunteered for many years and spent countless hours as a youth league coach, teaching young boys how to play ball, how to work together, and how to exhibit sportsmanship. When he wasn’t coaching, he was always in attendance and never missed a game.  The same could be said for school concerts and other functions involving his family. He was always there. He served for many years in the Cub Scouts, helping to instill values and mentor young boys and provide positive experiences. Autumns were spent as a family hunting deer, elk, and riding motorcycles on Mt. Nebo. Summers were spent as a family waterskiing at Hyrum Reservoir.  Every other summer was spent as a family driving from Utah back to Alabama to visit his family.  Those trips, while long, were the best of times. Swimming in hotels after a long day of driving, playing miniature golf, and eating pizza are among the special memories from those road trips. In later years he enjoyed camping at LaPlatta with Jane and many of his best friends.

His career was spent as a Systems Engineer at Hill Air Force Base, working there from 1960 until his retirement in 1988. He was a well-respected and trusted professional, colleague, and leader.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jane; his sons Greg (Annette), Dean (Dana), daughter-in-law Amy Vernon Bigelow; mother Arvilla Vernon and sister Eloise Young, both of Anniston, Alabama; 14 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son Bart, his father Tyrus, and his great grandson Jack Hansen.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 15, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Road, Layton, Utah.  Friends may visit family Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the mortuary.   Interment, Paradise, Utah Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staffs at Avalon Care Center and Lakeview Hospital for their exceptional care, kindness, and support.