Henry Jay Vernon

Henry J. Vernon, 96, of Tallahassee died Friday (5/22) at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare. Born on August 7, 1918 in Rising Star, Texas he came to the Tallahassee area in 1979 from Oklahoma City following his retirement from Gulf Oil Corporation. Henry was raised by his grandparents on a farm in Brown County, Texas as both his parents, Henry M. and Lela (Cannon) Vernon, were deceased by the time he was four years old. He attended Early High School and lettered in football, baseball, and basketball, graduating in 1936. After one year at Daniel Baker College, he joined the Texas National Guard, 36th Infantry Division, in 1938. The 36th Division was mobilized for the war effort in 1940 and Henry continued to serve and undergo training in several locations throughout the eastern U.S., including several months at Camp Blanding, Florida in 1942. When the 36th Division shipped out to North Africa, Henry was in quarantine with the mumps. Soon afterward, he was sent to Great Britain on the Queen Elizabeth I and placed in a replacement pool. He was then assigned to the 29th Infantry Division and began a year’s training in southwestern England in preparation for the invasion of France.

On June 6, 1944 Technical Sergeant and platoon leader Henry J. Vernon landed at Omaha Beach as part of the D-Day invasion force. He served in combat in France, Belgium, and Germany until the war in Europe ended, having been promoted to Battalion Sergeant Major during this 11 month period. He was the recipient of two Bronze Stars for his service in Europe. After W.W. II he served two more enlistments in the military (Army Air Corps and US Army), serving as an Army Reserve instructor in Ft. Worth, TX during the Korean War, and left military service in 1952. Shortly thereafter Henry was hired by Gulf Oil Corporation and began his 26 year career as a Title Clerk. He was married to Ruth Ellis from 1953 to 1969, helping to provide a loving home for his son and three step children. The family moved from Ft. Worth to Oklahoma City in 1960 when Henry was transferred. He was a member of the VFW in Oklahoma City before his retirement and joined the Tallahassee W.W. II Historical Society in 2000.

Survivors include his son: Richard (Susan) of Tallahassee; step sons: David Cobb of Yukon, OK, Patrick Cobb of Norman, OK; and step daughter: Jennifer Cobb of San Leon, TX; and his longtime friend and companion, Adair Akers of Tallahassee.