Vernon Bargainer

When Vernon was a little boy living in the country, he had two imaginary friends that he played with every day. His two imaginary friends convinced him that they would hang together not only by the threads of technology, but by its art as he wanted to be a part of its art.

He followed that dream by receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1953; he furthered his education by receiving his post graduate degree in personnel management at the University of Houston. After serving two years of active military duty in 1956; he returned to the University of Houston and obtained his clinical psychology degree. Vernon became a skilled communicator, fact finder, and mediator.

Vernon took his first job with the Department of the Army in 1957. He held several positions until 1970 when he became the Director of the USACARA SW-Region, which was in the U. S. Army’s Civilian Appellate Review Agency in Dallas, Texas.

And although Vernon excelled in everything he did, Vernon always said that his life began while eating at a restaurant in Dallas, TX one evening and meeting a woman whom he fell in love with at first sight. They knew the moment they met their love was a gift from God, which was sealed in marriage in 1974.

From that love he cherished and accepted the responsibility of her six children. Through his example, he taught each of us how to treat everyone equally and individually, live life to its fullest, love your family, be kind to your neighbor, and be a blessing to everyone you come in contact with. He was the best living example of allowing God to lead your life in thought and deed.

Vernon was very well known as a loving and kind person. He was a devoted church member and Sunday School teacher at First United Methodist Church of Mesquite.

He was also an author of four published books.

Vernon Lee Bargainer is survived by four of the six children he saved when he married our mother, Faye Marie Sanders Bargainer: Howard L. (Spud) Blanton and wife, Eve; Michael O. Blanton and wife, Patricia; Dana M. Walter and husband E.W.; and Thomas E.(Gene) Ford. Grandchildren: Brendan Harper, Adam Harper, Jennifer Griffin, Delayna Cody, Michael O. Blanton, Jr., Matthew W. Walter, Lauryn M. Walter, , Brittany N. Holy, Alison E. Atchley, and Amber M. Vu. He is also survived by 21 great grandchildren, and eight great-great grandchildren.

Vernon was preceded in death by his wife, Faye Marie Sanders Bargainer, his parents, Lawson and Clarice Bargainer; his brother, Reagan Bargainer, his sister, Christine Gardner, and his two sons, Rodney A. Ford, and William A. (Billy) Ford.

Vernon had many names in our family – Dad, Pop, PaPa, Grandpa Bargainer – and we will miss him every day. We know that God has welcomed him home as he reunites with the love of his life, our Mother, Faye.