Robert "Bob" Sullivan Vernon

ROBERT SULLIVAN VERNON, born on August 20, 1947, to Wayne and Elizabeth Vernon, died on September 20, 2026, in Oklahoma City. Bob grew up in Oklahoma City, the second of two boys. He graduated from Harding High school where he established meaningful lifelong friendships, earned a degree in history from Yale University in 1969, and later went on to pursue doctoral studies at Stanford University, and post graduate work at Columbia University. Education was important to Bob and graduate education cemented his desire to be a teacher rather than an academic.

Bob identified his purpose early in his 20’s and that purpose was teaching young people. He participated as a member of Teacher Corps for 2 years, then taught both high school and middle school in Norman, Oklahoma before being hired by Charlotte Gibbons in 1977 to teach 5th grade at an independent school in Oklahoma City, Westminster School. He would never work anywhere else. As Middle School Director and the second Head of School, he continued teaching every 8th grade graduate until last year, even remembering their names and learning/home group assignments!

He leaves his caring and loving wife of 56 years, Lissa Vernon, to miss him every day, and his two wonderful children: Rebecca Skarky of Oklahoma City, and Michael Sullivan Vernon and wife Whitney Vernon. He had four incredibly bright, hardworking, kind, and talented grandchildren: Kate Skarky, Jack Skarky, Will Skarky, and Kevin Vernon, who have been sources of great pleasure and pride. He made many deposits of love in each of them. He is also survived by his brother, Bill Vernon and wife Connie Vernon of Houston, Texas. Bill was a great source of support during his illness.

Bob lived an amazing life but suffered a single instance of bad luck when he developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome in December 2024. He faced it with more determination and optimism than seemed possible. The experience helped him see the many kind helpers in his life: his good friends from high school (Dave, Richard, Steve, Lisa), Bentley and Lisa Edmonds, Louise Goldberg, Mary Reynolds, Sue Oldham, and Patty Phelps. Additionally, he heard from countless current and former students, their families, and others in the Westminster community, demonstrating to him beyond a shadow of a doubt that he had fulfilled his purpose. His family also wants to expressly thank his caregiver, Shay Thompson, for her energy and excellent mood. It lightened many a day. Finally, to Ruth Ann Regens, current and past faculty of Westminster and current and past Trustees: Thank you for letting him do the work he loved!

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held in the Sanctuary of Westminster Presbyterian Church at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bob’s honor may be made to the Westminster School Endowment, 600 NW 44th Street, Oklahoma City.