Paul Berferd Vernon

Paul was welcomed into his eternal home with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at the age of 84. Visitation will be at 1:00pm and the service will be at 2:00pm on Friday, February 26, 2021, at First Christian Church 202 W Tarrant Road, Grand Prairie, TX 75050 with Pastor, Jim Dart, officiating. Interment to follow at Hurst Ranch Cemetery in Star, TX. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please donate to the First Christian Church, Grand Prairie, Texas, or the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas.

Paul was born September 16, 1936 in Olympia, Washington to Henry Dailey Vernon and Lillian Frances Hoss Vernon. Paul attended Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp in 1953 for 4 years (Korean War Vet). He attended military justice school and was a court reporter his entire tour of duty. After his military duty, Paul attended Kilgore Junior College and Arlington State College.

In 1958 Paul married Madie Lee Mason Vernon. They were married for 63 years. Their son, Mason Lee Vernon, was born in June 1959 and their daughter, Paula LeJune (Junie) Vernon Elliott, was born in May 1969.

Paul worked for Texas Electric Service Company as a lineman and trouble shooter for 6 years.

He worked for the City of Grand Prairie 1965 -1970 in the Traffic Department maintaining the traffic signals and heating/AC systems. He was a Volunteer Fire Fighter. He also worked at the City from 1989 and retired in 1996 as a Detention Officer for the Jail and Municipal Court.

Paul owned and operated Vernon Sales Company (Electric & Municipal Supplies) for 16 years. He was a Manufacturing Rep and salesman for Electrotechnics Corp for electronic and traffic signal equipment and Sargent-Sowell for signs/equipment and for several other companies.

After his retirement from the City, Paul worked at Lone Star Park for 9 years as the Money Room Manager.

For many years, Paul was active in First Christian Church, keeping the 5-acre tract around the church mowed and making coffee every Sunday morning. He enjoyed running the bulldozer, clearing land, mowing and baling hay on the family ranch. He also enjoyed many trips to Red River, New Mexico with family.

Paul coached Mason’s Little League baseball team sponsored by Henry’s Sporting Goods. He enjoyed sports of all kinds and went to all the high school football games and watched Junie perform on the drill team.

Paul was an endowed member of Sam R Hamilton Lodge #1031 and a Master Mason for more than 54 years. He was an endowed member and 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason for more than 30 years and a Shriner for more than 30 years. He also belonged to Sam P Cochran Lodge #1335 and Goldthwaite Lodge #694.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers: Artie, Howard, Hank and Hugh and his sisters: Altie, Thelma, Gracie, and Christine.

Survived by: wife, Madie; son, Mason (Agnes)and grandsons, Dillon Everett Vernon, and Mason Beau Vernon; daughter, Paula Junie Elliott (Michael) and grandchildren, Ethan Paul Wayne Elliott and Erin Faith Elliott; sister-in-law, Arlemae Vernon; brother-in-law, J.C. Mason (Dorothy); sister-in-law, Sandra Mason; and niece, Tamara Elliott (Jerry); great nephew, Derek Brown (Misty); and numerous other nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and many dear friends.

Pallbearers: Dillon Vernon, Beau Vernon, Ethan Elliott, Steve Mason, Joshua Mason, John Bauer

Honorary Pallbearer: Lester Clary, Gerald Wiggs, Charlie Fleming, Chandy Nophaenkham