Rev. Vernon

Rev. Leon Vernon of Grove went to be with the Lord Tuesday May 9, 2006 at the Freeman Health Center in Joplin, Mo. He was 69. Brother Leon was born April 28, 1937 to James and Marie (Booker) Vernon at Natchez, Mississippi. He graduated High School from Istrouma High School at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He married his high school sweetheart Lynda (Harris) Vernon March 23, 1957 at Woodville, Mississippi. After high school he attended Louisiana State University for two years where he taught swimming and received the Aquatic Award which is the highest award a Life Guard can receive. He then went to work at Wyandotte Chemical Plant at Burnside, Louisiana, then transferred to the Dow Chemical Plant at Freeport, Texas where he was a Maintenance Supervisor. In 1968 he moved his family to Grove, Oklahoma and bought Twin Oaks Resort on Grand Lake. He also worked a short time at B.F. Goodrich at Miami, Oklahoma. God called him into the ministry in 1973, and in 1975 the Grove Christian Center was born. In October of 2005 the church celebrated 30 years with Brother Leon's faithful service to the Lord and to the Grove Community. With his wife, Lynda they also had a ministry at the May Community Church at May, Missouri. His heart was for Missions. God gave him a deep burden for the people of Nepal, Central America, and Russia. Brother Leon touched so many hearts and he will be missed by his friends and especially his fellow ministers. Survivors include his wife of 49 years Lynda Vernon of Grove. Four children: Dawne Marie Erickson, Rhonda Gayle Knox, Mary Ellen Farmer, all of Grove, and Holly Ann Miller of Wichita, Kansas. One sister: Miss Sylvia Vernon of Grove. Eight grandchildren: Nicolas Erickson, Kyle Erickson, Adam Erickson, Drew Erickson, Molly Jones, Holly Brookhouser, Summer Knox, and Crystal Farmer. One great granddaughter, Macy Brookhouser. He was preceded in death by his parents. Services will be 2:00 PM Friday May 12, 2006 at the Grove Christian Center with Rev. David Knox, Rev. Mark Linn and Rev. Leland Mooney officiating. He will be laid to rest at the Olympus Cemetery in Grove. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 PM Thursday evening at the Grove Christian Center.

Service Details

Friday, May 12th, 2006 2:00pm, Grove Christian Center

Interment Details

Olympus Cemetery