Vernon was born at the family home in Iowa and worked alongside his family until the farm was lost in the Great Depression. He attended school full time and supported himself and worked five part time jobs. When he graduated from high school, he was finally allowed to enlist in the Navy.
He completed Flight Officer Candidate School and served a total of 27 years in the Navy, qualifying on aircraft from biplanes to blimps to jet aircraft. He served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. After retirement, he taught Navy NJROTC.
Vernon is preceded in death by his wives Marjorie Crow (1992) and Della Crow (2017) and his son David Crow (2002). He is survived by four children: Kelvin Crow, Byron Crow, Laura Crow and Quintin Crow; 5 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held at Faubion United Methodist Church, located at 7113 N Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64118, on February 13, 2026, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.
The funeral service will follow at the same location from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.
