Vernon served in the navy from 1952-1955 as a dental corpsman in San Diego, CA. developing lifelong friendships which resulted in annual get togethers throughout the United States to catch up with the “Navy Buddies”. Vernon enjoyed sharing his exploits assisting the Navy dentists and the life of a sailor in San Diego with everyone who was ready for some stories.
One of those buddies introduced him to his wife of 65 years, Mary Lou Gartung. They were married in 1955 and moved south where he attended the University of South Carolina graduating with a degree in business. After a 30-year career in the textile industry, Vernon didn’t take retirement sitting still. From selling mufflers to working as a pharmacy technician to driving all over Georgia for a delivery company, he was always busy. Weekends were spent with multiple projects in his workshop, maintaining a beautiful home landscape, planting flowers for Mary Lou, washing and waxing his car, and entertaining with scotch and cigars in his “man cave”.
Vernon was an active member of the Episcopal community in Macon. As a member of St Francis Episcopal Church, he enjoyed singing in the choir, serving on the vestry, maintaining the facility and grounds and was active in raising money for Haitian Hope. After joining the congregation at St. Paul’s Episcopal church, he continued his work with Haitian Hope and helped with the property and grounds at St Paul’s. He enjoyed convening the gang of church friends… Preston, Charlie, Randy, Don, and Tom and holding court in his basement smoking room.
Vernon Dove never met a stranger. He always had a story or joke, and a mischievous smile on his face. His extroverted personality guaranteed he would be the life of the party. When uprooting from Macon after 40 years and moving to Athens, GA, this was never more evident. The friendships he developed and the love he received from the many people he interacted with at the assisted living facilities he lived ensured he had an audience waiting for his next tale. With patience and creativity, the assisted living facilities in Athens kept him busy building, painting, fixing any and everything (whether he was asked to our not), planting flowers and saving him a spot for a scotch and pipe/cigar. The one thing he missed was having his car to detail daily! The love and care from the staff at Thrive and the Orchard Senior Living, Agape Hospice, the sitters, and residents was unconditional and provided him with friends and an extended family as he transitioned through the final five years of his long and well lived life.
Vernon is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou Gartung Dove, his father, John A Dove, his mother, Myrtle, brothers Carl, Dan, Mervin, and Ken and sister, Lois. He is survived by his brother Jim (Jane) Dove and sister Gail (Bill) Pope, his children, Linda (Mark) Logan, John (Teri) Dove, and Nancy (Joe) James, 8 grandchildren: Michael, Jennifer (Elijah), Paige (Gordon), Eva Beth, Will, Jackson, Anna Grace, Bethany, and great-grandchildren, Hudson, Isla, Penelope, and Malakai.
A memorial service and celebration of Vernon’s life will be on the afternoon of Thursday, February 8, 2024, at St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 753 College St, Macon Ga beginning at 2pm. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Haitian Hope, Inc. P.O. Box 7326, Macon, GA 31209.(https://www.facebook.com/haitianhopetrouin?ref=embed_page) or the charity of your choice.
Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express condolences.
Snow's Funerals and Cremations @ Macon Memorial Park has charge of the arrangements.
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