Victor D Vertner

Victor Douglas Vertner was born in Whittier, California, on April 15, 1943. He was the only child of Bill Vertner and Doris Carr. Victor grew up in Richmond, California, where he graduated from Harry Ells High School. Victor then attended Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis, Oregon, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in political science. At OSU, he met his college sweetheart and first wife, Meredith Jo Morrison.

Victor joined the Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) fraternity house while attending OSU. He was proud to be an ATO, and many of his fraternity brothers remained lifelong friends. He hosted a summer ATO reunion party every other year at his ranch in Bend, Oregon, where he always enjoyed a good time with his fraternity brothers. His last reunion was in September 2023.

Victor joined the Marine Corps Reserves and was a member of the Second Battalion Platoon 223—the regimental honor platoon of June 12, 1963. He achieved the award of expert marksmanship for his excellence on the rifle range.

Victor subsequently attended Santa Clara University Law School in Santa Clara, California, where he received his Juris Doctorate. Shortly thereafter, he started his private practice specializing in criminal defense. Victor worked as a criminal defense attorney for more than 53 years until the day of his passing.

The union of Victor and Meredith (“Mojo”) brought their firstborn child, Mark. Megan was born three years later, and Justin was born two years after Megan. In 1987, Victor and his family had their hearts broken when Megan died in a motorcycle crash while she was a senior in high school in Portland, Oregon. Mark married Patty, and they have three children: Gabriela, Maya, and Skyler. Gabriela has a daughter named Mila.

Victor later married Denalee Peterson, who was also a criminal defense attorney and his partner in their boutique law firm. From their union, two children were born: Victoria and Zachary. Victor and Denalee purchased a ranch together in Bend, Oregon in 1987, where they always dreamed of retiring one day. Tragically, this dream was never realized because Denalee died from cancer in 1994.

Victor is survived by his children, Mark, Justin, Victoria, and Zachary, as well as by his grandchildren and great-grandchild.

Victor will be laid to rest beside Denalee at Pilot Butte Cemetery in Bend, Oregon. Friends and family are invited to attend the service at the Chapel of Roses, Oak Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park, located at 300 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA 95125, on January 13th. The visitation starts at 10:00 a.m., followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. Please RSVP to [email protected].