Vernon Jay Carlson
Vernon Jay Carlson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of October 24, 2021, at the age of ninety-seven. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty Jean Hurst, and their daughter, Linda Measom (Gary). Vernon was the youngest child in his family he was also preceded in death by his six siblings. He is survived by seven children: Kathy (Gary) Croxall, Edward (Carrie), David (Elizabeth), Steven (Lucinda), Glen (Rosemary), Richard (Christen), and Michael (Michelle). His posterity includes 37 grandchildren and 95 great-grandchildren.
Vernon’s life tapestry was woven with threads of service, to God, man, and country. Vernon served as a soldier during WWII, providing critical maintenance for B-29 bombers on the island of Tinian. Upon his return, he earned a BS in Accounting from BYU. He met and courted Betty, whom he married on May 26, 1950, in the Manti Temple. Vernon was in business with his brothers, Ivan and Clair, primarily raising turkeys in the Spanish Fork area. They formed a partnership that lasted a quarter of a century. This career allowed him to work outdoors and involve his children in physical labor, teaching them by example, the importance of hard work.
Of paramount importance to Vernon was his testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served for nearly 12 years as a member of the Spanish Fork 8th Ward Bishopric, including six years as Bishop. He also served in a Stake Mission Presidency, Branch Presidency (Thistle), for 14 years on the Stake High Council, and for over 20 years as a Provo Temple worker. He and Betty served two full-time missions together: first to Australia (May 91-Nov 92), and then to Tennessee (April 95-April 96). In these and other callings, Vernon performed countless untold acts of service, leaving a legacy with many grateful recipients.
Vernon’s greatest sermons were not preached with his words, but with his example. His descendants will remember him as one who not only taught, but modeled, the virtues of humility, work, integrity, compassion, and forgiveness along with having a wonderful sense of humor, a quick wit, and a keen mind. We will be forever grateful for the lasting legacy he and Betty have passed on, and which will bless us all for generations to come.
A viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, November 5th, at Walker Funeral Home, 187 S. Main St, Spanish Fork, UT. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday November 6th, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Maple Mountain Stake Center, 2188 E. 100 S., Spanish Fork, UT. with a viewing an hour before the service.Interment, with military honors, will follow in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery. The link to the live stream of the service will be found on the Vernon Carlson memorial page at www.WalkerMemorials.com.