Florence – In the early morning hours of December 27, 2014, Robert Alden Vernon peacefully passed away at the North Valley Living Centre in Stevensville with family members by his side.
Robert (Bob) was born in Rockport, Utah on November 15, 1920. He attended high school in Coalville, Utah. He joined the US Army in 1942. He courageously fought in World War II and was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge. Bob was a hero to all his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren not only for serving our country but for being a generous, kind and loving man.
Bob met the love of his life, Rose Neel, in 1946 at Park City, Utah. They were married on March 15, 1947 in Elko, Nevada. Their children, Carol Ann and Arnold, were born in Coalville, Utah. Bob, Rose, and children moved to the Bitterroot Valley in 1954 and have lived here ever since.
While in Utah, Bob was part of a drill team posse and competed in barrel racing. He won some impressive barrel racing trophies. Bob enjoyed the horses even after moving to the Bitterroot Valley. He rode a horse to do his irrigating on the Ruffatto Ranch. Bob worked at the sugar beet factory in Missoula, was a custodian at Florence School, was a miner, logger, rancher, and owned is own farm. He taught his children and grandchildren the value of hard work. He was a man of few words but was full of wisdom and wit.
On Father’s Day, 2013, Bob got to go on the Montana Honor Flight to Washington, DC. It was a highlight for him to be accompanied by his son. They not only enjoyed seeing the World War II monument and other historic monuments in Washington, but also they enjoyed a little sightseeing trip to Yellowstone National Park.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Helen Irene Vernon; brothers Fred, Jay, Leonard, Jim, Gene, Darrell and Bill, and sisters Marjorie and Theo.
Bob is survived by his wife of 67 years, Rose of Florence; daughter Carol Ann and husband Jim Zeiler of Moiese; son Arnold and wife Vickie of Stevensville; grandchildren Christie and husband Shawn Tennant of Glendive, Becki and husband Ron Lords of Stevensville, Rod and wife Kari Zeiler of Frenchtown, Robbie and wife Lee Vernon of Belgrade, and Tawnya and husband Joel Farnsworth of Salt Lake City. His surviving great grandchildren are Bailey (Alex), Garrett (Lacey), Lindsay, and Dillon of Glendive, Joshua, Austin, Christopher, Haley, and Hadli Lords and exchange granddaughter YuTing Chen of Stevensville, Mya and Risa Zeiler of Frenchtown, and Katie Rose and Annabelle Vernon of Belgrade.
Services will be held at the Stevensville LDS Stake House on Friday, January 2, 2015 at 1 p.m. with viewing one hour prior to service. Interment will be at the Victor Cemetery following the service with military honors.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.