Vern was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 15, 1933; he would always tell people he was born on Tax Day!  He had a younger brother, David, and the youngest sibling, his sister Aileen. They both preceded him in death. Their father left them when they were young. Vern’s Mom passed away when he was young. The kids went to live with his Mom’s brother and wife on their farm outside of Redding.  Vern was responsible from an early age for his brother and sister. He enjoyed riding horses while living with his Aunt and Uncle. He graduated from Shasta High School and joined the US Air Force.  Vern was trained as a jet fighter pilot and served for 20-years before retiring as a Major. He met his wife, Sachiko, who preceded him in death, when stationed in Japan. They married and had two daughters, Mary, born when they were stationed in New Mexico, and Nancy, born when they were stationed in Japan. They also lived in Texas and North Dakota while Vern served. He was stationed in Libya; Sachiko and the girls went to Japan to live with her Mom due to the political situation in Libya.  After retiring from the Air Force, Vern had a full career with the State of California. The majority of that career was with DMV managing contracts. Vern was a doting Grandfather to Nancy and her husband’s, Tom, two children, Daniel and Christine. He was very proud of his daughter Mary becoming a doctor and a surgeon. He will be dearly missed by all his family. Price Funeral Chapel (916-725-2109), directors.