Vernon was born in Wake County to the late George Donnie Yates and Mozelle Crabtree Yates. He was a graduate of Apex High School and was a veteran of the US Army, having served 3 years in post-WW II Germany at a missile base in Ansbach. Vernon was a power tools distributor for Husqvarna for over 25 years, and continued to work daily until age 81.
Vernon served as a Mason and actively supported all the Shriner's charities for much of his adult life. He enjoyed spoiling his favorite cats, Rusty and Fluffy, who kept him company in the store on most days. Vernon enjoyed having Sunday breakfast out at Brigs or IHOP, and he loved hearing about the accomplishments of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an avid 'lefty' baseball pitcher in his youth, and enjoyed watching baseball from the Little League World Series all the way up to the Major Leagues. Vernon also followed NASCAR closely, and his all-time favorite driver was Mark Martin.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Eva P. Yates; and brother, Charles Jackson Yates.
Vernon is survived by his sons, Dennis Christopher Goss and his wife, Amy Goss; and Wilbur M. Goss, Jr. and his wife, Mary Glenn Goss; two grandchildren, Christina White and Jay Goss; three great grandchildren, Mireya, Leila, and Elora White; and nephew, Charles Webster Yates.
A funeral service will be held 11am Monday, November 19, 2018 at Apex Funeral Home Chapel, 550 W. Williams Street, Apex, NC 27502. Burial will follow the service at Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery in Cary, NC. The family will receive friends 7-9pm Sunday, November 18, 2018 at Apex Funeral Home.
The family would like to thank the staff at Hillcrest Convalescent Center for their excellent care to Vernon over the past year and a half.
