Vernice Gaar Jr.

His mother Sarah Sharp lived on a Native American reservation until she and Vernice Gaar Sr. were married. They both proceeded him in death as well as his three sisters, Mary, Flossie, and Vernell. Vernice's mother passed away when he was only seven years old.

His father, Vernice Sr, sent him and his younger sister Vernell to live with their grandfather in Monroe, Louisiana. He and his sister were put on a train with name tags around their necks, and while on the train they were watched by the train's conductor. Upon arriving at their destination, the local Sheriff took them to their grandfather's farm.

Vernice lived on a 160-acre farm until he was drafted by the United States Army. He was in line to register at Grambling State University, when an army recruiter called his name. Vernice was only seventeen years old at the time. He objected to enlisting, but the recruiter told him they were only getting him ready for the service.

He was then sent back to the farm to dispose of all the animals as well as lock up and secure the farm building. Vernice spent weeks traveling across the United States by train with other soldiers. He was finally sent to the War Zone in the Pacific where he fought alongside General Mac Arthur. While driving an amphibious truck, delivering supplies to the front line, an explosion blew up his unit. Vernice woke up on the ground in a field hospital in Hawaii. With no identification (because his dog tags were blown off of him) he was named "Lucky" by the doctors and nurses. He recovered and was sent back into service. During his time in the service, his first daughter, Thelma, was born. When the war ended, he was discharged in San Pedro, California on the 14th day of March 1946, a day he said he'll never forget.

He traveled around for some time and ended up in Los Angeles, California, where some of his other family members lived. Vernice worked for The United States Postal Service for a short time, then he went to work for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) as a Heavy-Duty Truck Driver and then a Crown School Bus Driver where he retired after 35 years of service.

Vernice was previously married to Betty Jane Martin who also proceeded him in death, and to this union they were blessed with two daughters, Deborah and Pamela.

While working at LAUSD he met a very sweet and charming lady named Olga Adauto who also worked there as an Area Bus Supervisor and of course the two of them became inseparable, marrying on February 15, 1986. To this union the two of them were so excited to have a beautiful little girl named Veronica Denise. Vernice was a devoted member at Atherton Baptist Church in Inglewood, California, under the Pastor (as well as his best friend and coworker at LAUSD), Vernon Mitchell. You could always find the two of them along with their wives and little Veronica out fishing and camping.

After retirement he, Olga and Veronica did a bit of traveling. You would sometimes find him at home catching him watching football games. When his Father-in-law was around it was Dodger games.

Vernice was a kind, caring, supportive, give-you-the-shirt-of-his-back type of person. I'm pretty sure there isn't one person on this Earth that had anything bad to say about him. Every person I know has said he had a wonderful soul.

Olga was a true blessing to Vernice. She stood by him through thick and thin. She is truly a living example of the perfect wife. She understood her wedding vows and accepted the assignment.

Vernice leaves to cherish his amazing and wonderful 98-year life, his wife Olga; their children, Thelma Garr Parker, Deborah Davis (Cleo), Pamela Gaar Jeter (Richard), Veronica Gaar Johnson (Dave), and Russell Hearth; grandchildren, Eric, Richard, Ryan, Portia, Dana, Erika, and Jasmine as well as 14 great grandchildren, in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Services will be on November 22nd at 10 am sharp at Southern Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada.