Vernon K. Vette Sr., 87

Memorial services for Vernon K. Vette Sr., 87, recently of Theodosia, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, at Hill Top Church in Thornfield with Walt Henningsen officiating and full military honors rendered. Mr. Vette died July 30 at Gainesville Health Care Center in Gainesville.

He was born April 3, 1932, in Levent, Kansas, the son of Earl and Mary Vette. His family moved to Colby, Kansas, when he was in fourth grade and then to Goodland, Kansas, when he was in sixth grade, where they lived on a ranch. When he was about 14, he went to live with his grandparents on a farm in Avoca, Nebraska, where he found his love for horses.

In 1950, when he was 18, he joined the Army and was posted at Fort Riley, Kansas. He was sent to Germany and in 1952 went to fight on the front lines in the Korean Conflict. He ended his Army journey in August 1953.

In December 1954 Mr. Vette met Hazel B. Hood at a school basketball game. They were married May 28, 1955. In October 1955 they moved to Trona, California, where he found a job at the American Pot Ash Chemical Corporation and continued there for 38 years. They raised their five children in Trona. During their years in Trona, Mr. Vette had many hobbies and friends. He loved horses and owned many; he was a true cowboy, riding, roping and robbing the local train during a town event. He caught wild horses and burros in the local mountains. 

After retiring, in 1994 the Vettes moved to Theodosia, where they lived about eight years. Then they moved out of Ozark County but still resided in Missouri. In 2014 they moved back to Theodosia, and Mr. Vette lived out the rest of his life there. During his time in Theodosia, he served as president of the water board for about eight years and was also fire chief at the Theodosia Area Volunteer Fire Department as well as a volunteer deputy working for the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department.

He is survived by his five children: Deborah Grantham and husband Mike of Weaubleau, Vernon Vette Jr. of Grain Valley, Elizabeth Perreira of Rancho Cucamonga, California, Victoria Cook and husband Ben of Theodosia, Allan Vette of Lawrence, Kansas; 15 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel B. Vette; his parents, Earl Vette and Mary Vette; five sisters and three brothers.

Mr. Vette’s plaque can be seen on the memorial wall at the Lutie Cemetery in Theodosia. 

Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, directors. 

Reprinted from last week’s Times to correct the date of services.

Ozark County Times

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