Vernon (Vern) Roy Garner

Vernon (Vern) Roy Garner, 67, peacefully passed away September 13, 2017, after a courageous five-year battle with a rare brain disease. Vern was born December 16, 1949, to Carrie and the late Dennis Garner, in Washington, D.C., the second child of seven. He graduated from Osbourn High School, Manassas, Virginia, in 1968.

Those left behind to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 37 years, Barbara; daughter Melissa (Robert); daughter Julie (Greg); grandchildren Madeline, Benjamin, Josephine and Ava; brother Larry (Brenda); sisters Gloria, Sherry, Donna (George) and Brenda (Tim); numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and an abundance of friends, colleagues and neighbors. Vern was predeceased by his brother Dwayne, his first wife Bonnie and others dear to him.

Vern served in the U.S. Air Force after high school and was deployed to Vietnam as a cryptographer. He was later assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon. Vern was proud of his military service and deeply appreciated those who serve.

After his time in the military, he began his career with IBM as a computer programmer and spent the next 35 years working in sophisticated computer-related positions for major Department of Defense contractors including Loral, Lockheed Martin, and BAE Systems, many times without even changing the physical office in which he worked. His intelligence, work ethic and leadership skills served him well as he moved to upper management positions. Vern was highly respected and always took time to mentor his staff. He had the reputation of being one of the best managers in his division; everyone who worked with Vern wanted to be on his team.

Vern was known for his love of fishing and boating. He dreamed of owning a house on the water and that wish was fulfilled when he built his dream home on Lake Gaston, N.C., and retired there in 2009. He and his family spent wonderful days on that lake, fishing, boating, swimming and spending time together; it always had a special place in his heart.

Vern was a kind, generous, patient and loving man, always putting the needs of others before himself. He was an amazing father and grandfather, providing sage advice, help at the drop of a hat, and most importantly, unconditional love and acceptance. There was absolutely nothing he wouldn’t do for those he loved. He also had lots of “adopted” children along the way, those who looked to him for the same love and support. Vern had the gift of making friends with anyone he encountered; he made everyone feel very special. The minute you met him, you loved him.

The funeral service will be held on September 21, 2017, at St. Thomas United Methodist Church in Manassas, Virginia, with Pastor Steve Garner, Vern’s cousin, officiating. The service will include time to visit with family from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., a memorial service at 11 a.m. and a reception in the church’s fellowship hall at 12:00 p.m. The burial will take place at Stonewall Memory Gardens, following the reception. The family welcomes flowers as well as donations to the CurePSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) organization at psp.org or by mail to CurePSP, 30 E. Padonia Road, Suite 201, Timonium, Maryland, 21093.