Charles "Chuck" Vernon

He was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 1,1935 and passed in Yakima, Washington on July 31, 2026. Chuck lived a full life, one to be proud of.

After graduating high school, Chuck joined the United States Marine Corps. He spent time in Camp Pendleton and Camp McGill in Japan. He later graduated from Missouri University with a BA in English on the GI bill.

Wanderlust hit Chuck many times. He travelled to England where he wanted to immerse himself in the study of his favorite poets, T.S. Eliot and John Keats. He loved poetry, wrote poetry and even though he suffered with dementia, Chuck could still recite poetry. He was a romantic and wrote me many poems I will cherish always. Chuck travelled to Italy, finally returning to the states, making his home in Alaska where he taught school. He was eventually recruited to teach officers courses they needed to maintain their military status.

Chuck was in Alaska when Dwight Eisenhower declared Alaska a state!

Chuck moved back to Chicago and trained with Stouffer restaurants eventually becoming manager of "Top Of The Rock," in the prudential building, Chicago. Later he moved his family to Arizona where he acquired his carpenter apprenticeship at Maricopa Technical College. When work was slowing, he read in the paper about a place called Yakima, Washington and there appeared to be lots of work. After joining the International Carpenters Union, they offered him a job teaching carpentry for the job corps in the lower valley.

At 42 years of age, Chuck purchased his own business, a dream he had for a long time. The business was called Yakima Distributing. With hard work and integrity Chuck grew a very successful business. He served as president of Washington State Tobacco Industry and resided over two conventions. At 65 years of age, Chuck retired, divorced and survived quadruple heart bypass.

He got healthy and strong in body, heart and soul and began a new adventure.

Volunteerism! He walked dogs for the Humane Society, delivered mail to the various departments in the hospital, became a deacon in his church and regularly visited those in nursing homes or sick in the hospital.

Chuck built wheelchair ramps for the Catholic Charities chore service, he was a SHIBA representative, (statewide health insurance benefits advisor.) Eventually, Chuck completed a mediation learning program for the dispute resolution center of Yakima and Kittitas counties. He was nominated as mediator of the year. Soft spoken and a good listener his motto was "talk softly and carry no stick." Chuck was on the board of Yakima Valley Community College gallery. We have many pieces of local artwork hanging in our home. Being a team leader for the Red Cross and going out anytime day or night to help those in a disaster led him to buy a hummer and join the hummer club. He trained on sand dunes in Vegas and eventually joined the Hummer Caravan to help with the Katrina disaster.

Chuck found time to enjoy fly fishing, reading and of course golf, his passion!

We met after he returned from Katrina. God put us in each other’s path and the rest is history. Chuck was a blessing in my life. He was my "renaissance man." He was kind, gentle, loving and took such good care of me. We spent summers at the ocean, attended operas in Seattle and enjoyed the Yakima Symphony and dinners out. He was intelligent, a sharp dresser down to his shoes and loved to read and discuss history. Sadly, the last few years of our life we were on a dementia journey. With God and family help, I was able to keep Chuck at home where he wanted to die. He went peacefully. I miss him more than words can say.

Chuck is predeceased by his mother Virginia Potraz, California, sister, Ginny Dittfield, California and brother, Wally Stecker of California.

Chuck is survived by his loving wife Karen Vernon, Yakima his four children, Bill, daughter-in-law Carrie and granddaughter Emily Vernon, Yakima. Ed Vernon, Arizona. Lisa, son-in-law Mark and granddaughter Grace Dudash, Spokane and Victoria Vernon, Yakima. Chuck is also survived by his stepchildren whom he regarded as his own. Jody, son in law, Ian Quitadamo, Ellensburg and granddaughter Lark Bell, fiancé Andrew Kim, California. Heidi, son-in-law Michael and grandchildren, Sawyer, Hudson and Charleigh Robel, Yakima.

Thank you to his cardiologist Dr. Krueger of Heart Central, Heartlinks Hospice, especially Nicole, Chuck's nurse and our social worker, Andrea. A big thanks to our earth angel, Natalie. To our very special friends Tom and Yolanda McGrann who loved us and remained faithful in Chuck's life until the end, you were, his best friends. Thank you is not enough to say to our dear family for your encouragement, support and unconditional love, you were always there whenever we needed you.

Chuck, you were my breath, my heart and my soul. The loss is difficult, but you are at peace. Thank you, my love, for being in my life. Forever in my heart. -Karen

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. - John 3:16