Obituary for Vernon Edwards

Vernon Dean Edwards – Veteran

November 19, 1937 – January 10, 2019

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the loss of Vernon Deal Edwards, of Shidler, Oklahoma. Friends are welcome to pay their respects at Grace Memorial Chapel in Ponca City on Friday, January 18th from 10a.m. until 8 p.m.

Family will be present for a reception Friday from 6-8 p.m. Graveside services will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2019, at Resthaven Memorial Cemetery in Ponca City. The minister Bill Long will officiate the service. Casket bearers will include Bruce Edwards, Lee Edwards, Aaron Short, John Roe, Bill Coates, and Richard Dysel.

He was born to William Thomas Edwards and Lela Madge Thompson Edwards on November 19, 1937 in Borger, Texas. The oldest of a set of twins, Vernon was born five minutes before his twin sister, Jean. Big brother Thomas Bruce Edwards welcomed home his new brother and sister. During high school he played football, baseball, and basketball. After high school Vernon joined the U.S. Army where he served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He served as a green beret in the Army special forces. Upon retirement, he had attained the rank of Major. He worked as an US government employee later in life as a police officer and in other various security positions. Vernon received his higher education at NOC in Tonkawa as well as UCO in Edmond, Oklahoma.

His grandchildren were the pride and joy of his life. This spring, the family was expecting two great grandsons and Vernon was delighted. He looked forward to March and April when he could finally kiss the cheeks of these two precious boys.

He was always interested in family heritage and the family tree. His ancestors hailed from Wales. He had proudly researched the family crest and enjoyed showing it off. “It contains lions, that’s a sign of royalty” he would say. He had traced back ancestors who fought in the revolutionary war (a man named Cader Edwards who was 70 years old when he fought), the civil war (where the sided with the “Blue”), WWI and WWII. He inherited his patriotism.

He had a knack for shooting. He took to it like a duck to water. He competed in competitions both in the Army and out. His hands were rarely still, he enjoyed carpentry work and riding his motorcycle. The Army also allowed him to indulge one of his biggest hobbies, traveling. His travels of the world encompassed the entire USA, Hawaii, Germany, Vietnam, England, and even Thailand.

Vernon was a dreamer. He had a dream house planned but never got around to building it. Well, we believe he’s building that house now.

Everyone who knew him loved him. It was an honor to be called his friend. He will be missed but not forgotten.

He is now reunited in heaven with his loved ones including his parents, twin sister Velma Jean McGugan and her husband Willis L McGugan.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his daughter Valerie Short of Ochelata, Oklahoma,
Grandchildren; Rachel Ann Bartholomew and her husband Martin Roy of Bartlesville; Aaron Ray Short and his wife Katherine Styles of Bartlesville; Great granddaughter Aubrey Dix of Bartlesville, Great grandchildren who are due this spring: William Dean Cade Bartholomew who is due on March 31, 2019, and Elias Ray Short who is due on April 7, 2019.

Brother Thomas Bruce Edwards and his wife Leova, nephew Bruce Michael Edwards and his wife Beth Hardwick, their children Cayde and Maddie Edwards; nephew Lee Thomas Edwards and his wife Katie Robinson-Edwards their children Alberto and Riley Edwards; niece Teresa McGugan Eckert and her husband Randy, their children Danielle Nall and husband Michael Nall, Lacy Shane, and Matt Lively and his wife Ashton Monroe-Hall.

Condolences may be written at www.gracememorialchapel.net