Final Salute

JERRY LEROY VERNON
CAPTAIN, CIVIL ENGINEER CORPS, U.S. NAVY (RETIRED)

Jerry was born on February 5, 1941 in Dallas, TX. The youngest son of Wesley Curtis (Jack) and Mary Nevada (Frost) Vernon, Jerry’s beautiful soul departed this world on July 14, 2025 in San Antonio, TX at the age of 84.

To describe Jerry’s character using only a few words would be a tragedy in and of itself. Aptly described by his brother in law, Donald German, as “a prince of a guy”, his friends, colleagues, and family alike could very easily describe him as loyal, gentle, kind, straight laced, moral, and most of all, a joyous and faithful servant of God and country.

Jerry was preceded in death by his aforementioned parents above; his brother, Richard Vernon; sister in law, Pat Vernon; sister in law, Light German; and niece, Valerie German.

He is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 56 years, Nancy (German) Vernon; his son, Jeremy Vernon and daughter in law Misty (McNair) Vernon; his daughter, Kelly (Vernon) Hart and son in law Dave Hart; and his 4 grandchildren, Siena Hart, Anna Hart, Royce Vernon, and Jaxon Vernon. He is also survived by his brother, Ronald Vernon and partner Robin Wynne-Lloyd; his sister in law, Shelby Vernon; his brother in law, Bob German; his brother in law, Don German; his nieces and nephews, Mark (Deanna) Vernon, Marianne Childress, Chris Vernon, Shannon (Danny) Pike, Robert (Norma) German, Raad German, and Kirk (Heather) German.

Jerry spent his youth growing up in Red Oak, Texas in a house that his father built. He always had countless stories and fondly reminisced of his neighbors, classmates, friends, and most notably his parents, brothers, grandfather and grandmother. From growing things and helping out on the farm, to riding the Interurban Railway to catch a movie in Waxahachie with his brothers and friends. One story that always stood out involved a long bus trip to New York City with his mom. The way he always described the trip across half of the country, culminating with all of the sights and sounds (and smells) of the big city has led many of us to believe this early life event ignited his love for traveling.

The first job he ever held was working a paper route as a young boy, later followed by a stint at Dairy Queen while working his way through college at The University of Texas at Austin. Jerry initially studied Architecture at UT. In the middle of college, he took off and took a ship to Italy, spending the next year working in an orphanage while studying the country’s storied, classic, and beautiful architecture. Upon returning to UT, he decided to change majors to Architectural Engineering. The last semester of college, Jerry was introduced to the love of his life, Nancy, by a mutual friend. Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering in 1967, Jerry initially took a job with Brown and Root. World events and the grand scheme of things had other plans for Jerry as the Vietnam War was at its height on the opposite side of the Earth. Instead of being drafted into military service, Jerry was able to join the U.S. Navy as a Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) Officer. After attending Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Rhode Island late in 1967, he was commissioned an Ensign in February of 1968. After completing Civil Engineer Corps Officer School (CECOS), he was immediately shipped off to Chu Lai in Vietnam for 13 months. When his tour of duty concluded he was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, AZ. He and Nancy continued to correspond during his tour in Vietnam and were able to finally see each other again stateside. Nancy went to visit Jerry in Arizona and had actually accepted a teaching position in Europe, when at the very last minute when she was boarding the plane to leave, he finally got the nerve to ask her to marry him. Needless to say, she never made it to her job in Europe and instead made plans to join Jerry in Arizona. Marrying on August 23, 1969, in Houston, TX, they would spend the next 24 years travelling the world to include far off locations such as The Seychelles and Guam, as well as stateside duty stations in California, Florida, and ultimately back home in Texas. Probably one of his most unique tours, Jerry was given the opportunity to serve as the Officer in Charge of Construction (OICC) for an entire Naval Station from the ground up in Ingleside, TX as part of the Navy’s Homeport initiative. In addition to the amazing experiences the Navy afforded Jerry, their family would continue to grow with a couple of kids, Jeremy in 1975, and Kelly in 1977. Jerry ultimately retired from the Navy as a Captain (O-6) in October 1993 after 26 years of service. A few years after retirement he got a job with his alma mater, The University of Texas at Austin, and a year or so later, went to work for The University of Texas System Office, ultimately retiring for a second time as an Associate Vice President with the Office of Facilities Planning and Construction in 2005. Jerry still worked as a consultant for the UT System for a few more years until he finally found the penultimate job to complete his life work. The title in this final role came to be known as Baba. From the moment his first grandchild was born, on his birthday no less, in 2012, he found a new lease on life that he never dreamed of discovering, and he wore it on his face and sleeve every time he was around them. I’m not sure you could smile any larger or prouder than Jerry did while around his grandchildren. He could just watch them, he didn’t even have to interact with them, and he was in heaven on earth.

The old saying of God, Family, and Country is something that could easily be associated with Jerry Vernon. That association however, wouldn’t necessarily be in that particular order, but completely intertwined. He was an amazing companion and husband to Nancy, a phenomenal father to Jeremy and Kelly, a spoiling grandfather to Siena, Anna, Royce, and Jaxon, a devoted and loyal son and brother to his family, and a trustworthy friend to countless folks that he met along the path of life. He was a believer in Christ. And, to top it off, it could easily be argued he was as patriotic about The United States of America as anybody that has ever walked this planet up to this point in time. The best part is, he continued to be this same wonderful individual through his last breath.

The family will receive friends from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at Byrum Funeral Home in Lancaster, TX. A celebration of Jerry’s life will be at 10:00am on Thursday, July 24, 2025 also at Byrum Funeral Home with Navy Honors being rendered at graveside immediately following in Red Oak Cemetery, Red Oak, TX.

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