My Grandpa Peacock

DeVar Mills Vernon
May 13, 1932- October 30, 2008

DeVar Vernon 1932 ~ 2008 DeVar Mills Vernon passed away October 30, 2008 in the farm house where he was born on May 13, 1932 to Marie Mills and GrantVernon in Hoytsville, Utah. He graduated from North Summit High School where he participated in FFA and raised a State Grand Champion ewe. He also played the trombone in the school band. He married LaVaun Geary on June 15, 1953. He loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He loved the outdoors and spent many fall seasons trapping beaver. He was a second-generation mink rancher and had a great love for his farm and his animals. He loved watching the Utah Jazz, BYU Cougars and local North Summit High School sports. In the later years of his life, he enjoyed sitting on his front porch, whittling canes and watching his peacocks. Surviving are his loving wife, LaVaun and children: VaunaDe (Doug) Swensen, Jeff (Jeanette) Vernon, Chris (Lani) Vernon and Crae Vernon; a sister, Galeen Johnson; 12 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
As my Grandpa became more sick, he was always surrounded by friends and family. Hospice was so wonderful and I was glad to see that from a family member's point of view, they are a great resource. I often see death from a different perspective, as a Nurse or a friend, but not a family member. It was comforting to know that Grandpa passed in peace surrounded by those who loved him most.
I was so lucky to have had such a close relationship with my Grandpa. I was always riding my bike to my Grandparents home to ride horses and play in the play house. My Grandpa was always cracking jokes (sometimes the colorful kind), just to make everyone laugh. he was a joker. I always admired his work ethic, he worked long days on the farm and it was always hard work. I remember sitting in the pelting shed listening to Christmas music to help make the work a little more fun. He loved the ranch and all the animals on it. His favorite had to be the Peacocks. My kids were quick to find him a nickname because he was always showing them the peacocks. Soon that is what Bryce thought of when I mentioned Grandpa Dee. So, Grandpa Peacock became his name. My Grandpa was a very patriotic, stubborn cowboy. He was part of that great generation that has gone through so much, and really understand the meaning of life in America and how blessed we all are to be part of it. My Grandpa will be loved and missed always.