Vernon Donald Moss

Vernon Donald Moss, age 82, of Chowchilla, California passed away on Friday, April 1, 2022. Vern was born on September 2, 1939, at the Yuba City General Hospital in Yuba City, CA, to parents Cecil Corbin Moss and Kathryn Hough.

Vern weathered a difficult childhood filled with the loss of his father and first stepfather before he was ten years old. His family moved frequently, including being displaced by the floods of 1952, when virtually everything the family owned was destroyed. He shared his youth with two sisters, Loraine Valerie Pritchett and Cynthia Ann Pritchett. Vern graduated from San Jose High School in San Jose, CA. while staying with family. He attended the College of the Sequoias and worked as a shoe salesman until he decided to enlist in the United States Air Force in June 1963.

Vern met and married Gayle Elizabeth Evans in 1964 following a whirlwind romance. They raised three children together, Randy, Traci, and Joe. Gayle passed away in December 1995 following a recurrence of cancer. Vern would never have survived the loss of Gayle without the loving support of family and the community of Chowchilla.

In October 1968 Vern transferred to the United States Army, serving in the Vietnam War. Vern’s 20-year military career took him all over the country, to Vietnam, and to Germany on two separate tours. He retired in 1983, and began working in the banking industry, which took him to Guarantee Savings in Chowchilla, CA. in 1984.

Vern worked for a variety of financial institutions in Chowchilla, Fresno, and Atwater for about 25 years. He served his community as a Chowchilla City Councilmember, Mayor, and 12 years as a Madera County Supervisor representing District 2. Vern retired from public life in 2011.

Vern passed quietly on the morning of April 1, 2022. He is survived by his sisters Loraine Morales and Cynthia Santos, children: Randy Moss, Traci Pagell, and Joe Moss, and 8 grandchildren.

Vern was well loved and will be missed dearly by family and friends.

A visitation for Vernon will be held Wednesday, April 27, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Palm Memorial Worden Chapel, 140 South 6th Street, Chowchilla, CA. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. with a reception to follow at Cornerstone Community Church, 208 Fig Tree Road, Chowchilla, CA. A committal service with Military Honors will be Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, 32053 McCabe Road, Santa Nella, CA.