Long time Sheridan resident, Vernon L. Morris, 89, passed away Monday, May 27, 2013 at Sheridan Manor.

Vern was born March 27, 1924 in McDonald, Kansas to Robert L. and Dora Sievers Morris.

He came to Wyoming as a small boy with his parents and older siblings.  They settled in the Big Horn basin of Wyoming.  He attended grade school at the Stone School House near Greybull, Wyoming and received his high school diploma from Burlington High School.  He was proud of the fact that of all his older siblings he was the only one to graduate from high school rather than quit school to work on the farm.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1944 and served in Germany during World War II.  Upon his discharge from the Army he returned to Sheridan, Wyoming where he met and married Jane Gilkison.  Vern and Jane divorced after almost 25 years of marriage and he later married Carole Melneck.

Vern owned and operated auto repair and radiator shops around Sheridan throughout his life.  His great passion was stock car racing and he was involved in racing and the Sheridan Stock Car Association for many years.  Sheridan racing enthusiasts from

the past are familiar with Vern’s many roles in racing.

Vern was a member of Moose Lodge, Eagles and American Legion.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents, his second wife Carole in 1999, his first wife Jane in 2002, brothers Leslie, Kenneth, Robert, Leland and Donald, sisters Thelma Winter, Nellie Johnson and Dorlena Cathcart, grandson Pascal Kempe of Tilburg, Netherlands and two great granddaughters, Shelleen Smith and Kennady Grace Stewart.

Vern, the fourth of ten children, is survived by one brother, Delmar Morris (Carol) of Lincoln NE, sister-in-law, Billie Morris of Sheridan, two sons, Werner Kempe (Ingrid) of Frankfurt, Germany, Andrew Morris of Sheridan, three daughters, Donna Herren (Harry) of Greybull, WY, Cindy Morris and Jennie Lockwood (Steve) of Sheridan, twelve grandchildren, eight great grandchildren plus one on the way, and three great great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.

A potluck memorial gathering and celebration of life will be held at the Big Horn Mountain Eagles #4169, 1760 Commercial Avenue, Sheridan, WY on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 1 pm.  All are welcome. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Dog and Cat Shelter, 84 E. Ridge Rd., Sheridan, WY  82801.

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