Vernon Rae Ferrell Sr.

Vernon had tales to tell. His story on this earth was lengthy and adventure-filled, beginning April 12, 1917, in Centralia, Wash. The first child of Dave and Ora Ferrell, his role later became that of father figure for younger sisters Becky, Shirlianne and Donnalee.

One day before the Great Depression, Vern, 5, watched his mother plant vegetables. Even then, the family struggled, and he wanted to help. So he planted a garden. He dug holes in the earth, put in pennies and watered them. With no reults, he tried tiny firecrackers, then marbles.

This may have begun his love affair with gardening. As an adult, his flowers, vegetables, fruit trees and berries were the envy of the neighborhood.

Vern and his family moved to Oregon where he attended schools. A good swimmer, he taught lessons and, later helped his children and grandchildren learn to swim. In his 90s, he still enjoyed his daughter’s pool in Hanford.

In high school Vern played football and basketball. He was the only Protestant on a Catholic youth group team. When traveling to games, Fridays often found the team on the road. Stopping for dinner, the priest-coach would say, “You don’t have to eat fish, you’re not Catholic.”

Vern’s answer? “That’s okay, Father, I like fish.” Also, a meal with the team was special; his family was often without food. He not only liked eating fish, he caught them well into his 80s.

In 1938, at 21, he graduated from North Bend High School. He’d missed much school working in a lumber mill.

After high school, steady work was scarce. When his hope for a commercial crabbing career fell through, he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps, earning room, board and $30 a month, $25 of which went to his mother. The chapter about Vern’s work includes chopping wood for a nickel a week, working on the CCC bridges in Coos Bay, and putting up highway signs for Foster and Kaiser. From 1956 to 1979 he was a butcher and meat market manager. In retirement he worked part-time at a Tulare nursery.

In 1942, Vern joined the Navy, becoming a pharmacist’s mate, first class. Most of his three years were spent on the USS Sea Witch. His stories of New Guinea – jungle adventures, nearby bombing, Tokyo Rose announcing they would never leave Milne Bay, a close encounter with a Japanese fighter plane – were sprinkled with humor. Even in the worst times, he found something to laugh about, like the shock of “spitting fish” in the river below the crew’s “outhouse.”

After a long-distance wartime courtship, he married Georgia Chumley. They had two children – Vernon, Jr. and Muriel. In the 1950s they settled in California’s Central Valley. That marriage ended after 29 years.

In 1975, a new chapter opened with his marriage to Bobbie Jordan. He had the good fortune to acquire a son, Duane, and daughters Donna and Dalanda.

Vern loved life and people. He was a special magnet for children, cats and dogs, always glad to play with grandchildren, great-grandchildren and their pets.

After losing his sight, Vern joined the Remington Ramblers, a writing group, and shared tales with his writing friends. Legally blind, he dictated his stories; some were printed in the Sentinel. He was grateful to Patricia Machado and other volunteers who transcribed his recordings..

One favorite story was about going to Washington D.C. last summer with the nonprofit group Honor Flights of Northern California. It was a thrill for him and other World War II veterans to see their memorial and to share experiences.

He liked people and being of service: Boy Scout leader; church usher, deacon, and Sunday school superintendent; Mason and active Lions Club member. At his retirement residence, he greeted newcomers, served ice cream at socials and led exercise classes.

Vern’s story ended May 6, 2013, following a long battle with congestive heart failure and and complications after a fall. His life will be celebrated at the Remington Retirement Home where he enjoyed a decade of activity and friendship .The memorial service is at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 8, followed by an ice cream social.

Instead of flowers, the family requests donations to Kings SPCA, 9071 16 1/2 Ave, Lemoore, CA 93245 OR Honor Flight Norcal, 17669 Warwick Pl, Anderson, CA 96007.

Vernon was predeceased by wife Bobbie Ferrell;grandson Anthony Wanamaker;sisters Becky Rommel and Shirlianne Harrison; and son-in-law Richard McKinney. He is survived by sister Donnie Hunt of Portland, Ore.; children Donna McKinney, Muriel Mahall (Jack), Duane Jordan (Pam), Vern Ferrell, Jr. and Dalanda McGee (Joe); former wife, Georgia Todd; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and many nieces & nephews.