A beautiful life ended the evening of Sunday, January 5, 2020. Vernon Harkins was born on October 9, 1933 in Galveston, Texas, to Beulah and Vyron Harkins Sr., he passed away Sunday surrounded by his family. He was the oldest of three boys, and was raised in San Antonio, Texas.
Vernon graduated valedictorian from Sam Houston High School, received his BA from Baylor University, and Masters from George Washington University. He joined the Navy 1957, and served as a Naval Intelligence Officer for 21 years, and was a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran. During his service in Germany he met and fell in love with Elisabeth Schidrich, a Bavarian girl, who later became his wife. They had four great boys and were married for 56 happy years. After retiring from the Navy, he joined Hughes Aircraft Company as project manager. When Lockheed Corp. moved to Austin, Texas, Vernon became project manager for Lockheed.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father, his youngest brother David and sister-in-law Janice. He is survived by the love of his life Elisabeth, whom he loved until he closed his eyes; his sons Andrew (Shannon), Alex (Stacia), Mark, and Stephan, his five grandchildren, Christopher (Gabrielle), Connor, Collin, Isabell, and Patrick, and three month old great-grandson Aaron. He is also survived by his younger brother Harvey (Hibbie), sister-in-law Edwina, and their family, and his youngest brother David’s family, as well as his family in Germany; sister-in-law Margit, brother-in-law Heiko, nephews Christian and Michael, and their families.
He was a proud American and proud Texan. He will be cherished by the legacy he leaves behind.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Thursday, January 9, 2020 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd, Austin. Graveside service will be 2:15 pm Friday, January 10, 2020 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Patriotpaws.org, or Austin Pets Alive.
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