VERNON LEWIS STEVENS

Vernon Lewis Stevens passed away in his home on Friday, August 31, 2018. He was born in Tacoma, Washington on October 10, 1930 to Lawrence L. Stevens and Lilly Bird Barton.

Vern graduated from Lake Washington High School in 1951. He was drafted into the Army and served 3 years, many up on old Bauldie. On December 17, 1954, Vernon married his wife Dorothy. Along with their 5 children Vern and Dorothy raised 34 foster children. Vern moved his family, by train, to Cincinnati, Ohio to work for William S. Merrell (Vicks’s Co.) as a research chemist. He went on to do research for Schick Shadel, finally retiring from Texaco refinery in 1993.

While employed with Texaco, Vernon’s name was drawn on a lottery in which he received a home in La Conner. He used lumber from his current home to build the new homes barn and garage. Vern was an active member in Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Washington State and National Grange, and 4-H. He enjoyed wood-whittling, traveling, geography, gardening and spending time with his family. He loved time spent competing in hobby cat races with his son and volunteering with Girl Scouts with his daughters. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Vern is survived by, his wife of 63 years, Dorothy; daughters, Judy Bowers and Monica Ziqusooka; son, Thomas Stevens; brothers Fredrick, Jerry and Patrick; sister Colleen and 5 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Kern Funeral Home on Monday, September 10, 2018 at 2:00 PM. Please consider donations be made to Charles E. Holman Morgellons Disease Foundation, P.O. Box 1109, Lone Star, TX, 75668 or through Lymedisease.org. You may offer your condolences and share memories of Vernon online at http://www.kernfuneralhome.com