Olin Vernon

Olin Ralph Vernon, age 87, of Roswell passed away Sunday June 25, 2017. A memorial service will be held 11:00 A.M., Monday, July 3, 2017 at the Country Club Road Church of Christ. Pastor Doug Austin will be officiating. Inurnment will follow at a later date at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM.

Olin Ralph was born in Hereford, Texas on January 31, 1930 to James Anderson Vernon and Cora Reeves Vernon. He was one of thirteen children, two of which survive him. They are Freeda McBride from Portales, NM and Yvonne Johnson from Los Alamos, NM.

Olin Ralph began working for Prices Creamery in Portales, NM in the early 1950's. He was fondly known as "little sister" because he was so young and naive. He enlisted in the Army in September of 1959 and served until 1962.

He worked for the NM National Guard full time in Portales, NM and transferred to Roswell, NM in 1960. He retired in June 1977 as SFC/E7 after serving 25 years. Olin was a life time member of the B.P.O.E., No. 969 Elks Lodge in Roswell, NM.

Olin Ralph and his wife Deanie, were always seen in the many restaurants in town, because they both loved to eat out. They loved traveling, camping, and fishing. One of Olin's favorite places was in Northern New Mexico near Chama. One of his greatest pleasures was their children; always being involved in their activities. He attended many band concerts and marching festivals. You could often see him as a proud Father watching his son play baseball, in his earlier years, and almost a decade later watching his twin sons play soccer.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years, Deanie M.Vernon; his parents, James A. and Cora Vernon; son, Dennis Ralph Vernon; brothers, Robert Perry Vernon, John Ivan Vernon, Durward Edward Vernon, and Charles Lloyd Vernon; sisters, Uva Hargett, Veda Huggins, Loretta Ellerd, Alva Summers, Dorotha Brannon, and Ova Pitts.

He is survived by his daughter, Lorraine (Warren) Odom of Rio Rancho, NM; sons, James (Ashley) Vernon of Roswell, NM, and Robby Vernon of Oklahoma City, OK. Olin Ralph is also survived by eight grandchildren, Tommy Tigert of Charlottesville, VA, Aaron Odom of Albuquerque, NM, Addison Vernon of Oklahoma City, OK, Ava Vernon of Roswell, NM, Lauryn Vernon of Roswell, NM, Blakely Vernon of Roswell, NM, Abby Vernon-Pena of Oklahoma City, OK, Christopher Armstrong of Antioch, CA, and two great-grandchildren.

We would like to thank Louane Soliz, Leah Higgins, Patricia Gonzalez, Kyra Franco, and Karla Mendez for the home care they gave Dad for the last three years and also the nurses at Brookdale and Sunset Villa for the care they gave our Father.

The family would like memorial contributions made in his honor to New Mexico Children's Home in Portales, NM.

Service