Vernon Brown

Vernon Lamar Brown, 87, of Dayton, Ohio passed from this Life from StoneSpring of Vandalia Health Care Facility around 10:50am on Friday July 5th, 2019. He stepped through the  Gates of Heaven into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at that time.

He was born to Claude and Clara (Angel) Brown in Bledsoe County, TN on August 22, 1931. At the age of 7 his father Claude moved Vernon and his five siblings, Jeanne, Claude Anna, William Issac, Robert Joseph and Carl Ault to Dayton, Ohio. Vernon attended and graduated from Stivers High School in 1950. During his time at school he was a successful softball pitcher leading his team to many victories. After school he went to work for Frigidaire Manufacturing working on various lines assembling washers and dryers before transferring to the Harrison Radiator division of General Motors. During this time he met Carol Jean Griesheimer and they dated off and on for several years. They were married on November 6th, 1954 in Liberty, IN. They had 5 children, David Lee, Michael Alan, Brenda Sue, Joy Marie and Matthew Edward. They were loving parents who participated in every aspect of their children’s lives.

Vernon was a member of Vandalia Baptist Temple in Vandalia, Ohio, and served in the capacity of Treasurer for many years. During his time there, Vernon and Carol were leaders of a group of retirees known as the ‘Happy Timers’. They enjoyed taking this group on many day and overnight trips. On one of these excursions to the Smoky Mountains, they woke up on Saturday morning to over 24” of snow and had a great time being ‘snowed in’ for an additional 3 days. Vernon’s passion was reading, meditating on God’s Word and watching all sports.

Vernon was preceded in death by his son Matthew Edward, his son-in-law Dennis Wiltshire, sisters Jean, Claude Anna and his brothers William and Carl. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his son David Brown of Dayton, Ohio; His son Michael (Carol) Brown of Centerville, Ohio; his daughter Brenda (Ken) Caldwell of Panama City, Florida and his daughter Joy Wiltshire of Vandalia, Ohio and his brother Robert (Doris) Brown. Vernon cherished every moment he spent with his 8-Grand Children, 15-Great Grand Children and 2-Great Great Grand Children and everyone will miss him dearly.

A celebration of Vernon’s life will be at 11am on Tuesday July 9th at Vandalia Baptist Temple located at 724 Helke Rd, Vandalia, Ohio with Pastor Rick Washburn officiating. Visitation will start at 10am prior to the service. Burial will follow at Forest Hills in Vandalia. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Vandalia Baptist Temple, Hospice of Dayton and The Fragile X Resource Center of Missouri, 336 Country Club Dr., Baldwin Missouri 63011