Arnold Joel Vernon

By Signe Kay Andersson, Arnold's daughter.

What an incredible life my father lived. With the exception of not being able to make one more trip back to Sweden, he did everything he set out to do in this life. He accomplished much. He was the only child to Joel and Ellen Vernon. Both immigrants from Sweden; Joel came here when he was 15, dreaming to be a train engineer, and Ellen trained as a cook and housekeeper, arrived when she was 16, with her younger sister Anna in tow. Both Joel and Ellen settled in Denver, Colorado, in the early 1920's. Both attended Wasa Club gatherings and that is where they met. They married and gave birth to Arnold Joel Vernon, March 9th 1925. The family lived in Denver most of their lives, with the exception of a stint during the depression when Joel sent Ellen and Arnold back to Sweden to stay with family. Joel struggled to find work as a carpenter and musician. Eventually, Ellen and Arnold returned to Denver. Arnold spoke very little English, so school was a struggle. Eventually, he overcame the language barrier and excelled in school. Joel and Ellen bought a ballroom called the "Crystal Palace" in downtown Denver. Ellen sold tickets and played piano, and Joel played accordion and conducted his own band, called the "Mile High Ramblers." He told a great story about the time Lawrence Welk came to town to play and while being interviewed on the radio, the radio personality asked Welk if he was anticipating a good turnout. Welk replied he certainly hoped so. He knew there was this other little orchestra in town that was very popular. That was grandpa's band he was referring to. The family thrived and had a very typical, happy American life. He grew up with some great neighborhood buddies. All of them went off to the Pacific War. Arnold survived Okinawa as an engineer, building airstrips and roads. To this day, members of the 2018th Ordinance/Maintenance Group hold annual reunions. Arnold hosted such an event in Austin, Texas September 2007. There are photos from this event in the gallery.

Arnold was married two times. The first to Pandora Smith, giving birth to Signe, Sharon and Shawn. Then later in life married and divorced Diana Kirksey (there were no children born to this union). He moved to Bastrop, Texas from Bastesville, Arkansas to live with his daughter Signe in 2005.

After military service he gained his Civil Engineering degree from Denver University and worked primarily as an Architect and Merchandising Engineer. He loved this work tremendously, so much so he covered a four state area enabling him to live out a dream and gained his pilots license. The license and plane came in handy covering so much territory. He was a huge football and tennis fan, and actually a pretty good player at both. He was a competition swimmer and weight lifter. He passes on a substantial "Big Band" era record collection to his daughter Signe. She recollects many jitter bug sessions with her dad. The last time was at the Bastrop Veterans Day and the Confederate Air Force Veterans Day Dance, November of 2007.

There is so much more story to tell about the great life that Arnold lived. Here is just a minuscule sampling. He loved art, good food, his children, his animals, his planet, his parents, his two wives with all his heart. Above all, he honored and loved his heavenly Father. And as for flying, it gave him the greatest joy in life! At this very moment he is shooting through the clouds in his beech craft debonnaire. He leaves many who will remember a man who loved to tell jokes and play a great game of cribbage.

For the caregivers at the nursing home, he always appreciated their efforts by telling them so by leaving little notes and graciously telling them thanks.