Vernon Edmondson

Colonel Vernon R. Edmondson, United States Air Force, retired, peacefully passed from Earth to Heaven on October 18, 2015 after a brief illness. Vern was a career Chaplain and Pastor, loving Son, Brother, Father, Father-in-Law, Uncle, Grand Uncle, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and devoted friend. Born in 1927 in Long Beach California, he was a graduate of Southern California College, Berkley Baptist Divinity School and New Mexico State University.

After his ordainment he was commissioned in the USAF as Chaplain where he served for 20 years during the period of 1953-1973, achieving the rank of Colonel (O-6). Chaplain Edmondson provided spiritual comfort and steadfast friendship to countless American Airmen on active duty in the USA, Europe, as well as Thailand during the Vietnam War. After retirement from the USAF, he then served as Chaplain at the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell for 14 years, retiring from NMMI in 1987. Many NMMI Cadets looked to him not only for spiritual guidance but also as a role model and mentor. After his "second retirement" from the Chaplaincy, he pastored at the First Christian Church of Roswell until relocating to Ruidoso with his wife Betty in 1997.
Continuing his spiritual calling in Ruidoso, he served as Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Ruidoso followed by the Ruidoso First Christian Church. Vern and Betty spent much of their Ruidoso "retired years" traveling the country visiting their expansive family and the vast extended family that grew from his years as Chaplain and Pastor. He was befriended and loved by all who have had the good fortune to have their lives intertwined with good ole Vern. Vern's passing was preceded by his parents, Noah and Orpha Edmondson, sister Venita, grandson Jim Wise and the love of his life Betty Edmondson.

He is survived by his sister Geneva of Santa Rosa, CA; daughter Barbara and husband Mark Severance of League City TX, sons and daughters-in-law Paul and Johnna Edmondson of Madison, VA; Allen and Debbie Baker of Frisco, Texas; Brad and Christy Baker of Colorado Springs, CO; Clark and Evelina Baker of Lewisville, TX; 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Family visitation will be held at LaGrone Funeral Chapel, 341 Sudderth, Ruidoso, on Friday, October 30 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Interment will be held with full military honors at the Merchant Marine & Military Cemetery at Fort Stanton at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, October 31, immediately followed by a memorial service at Ruidoso First Christian Church 1211 Hull Road, Ruidoso, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, Vern's family requests consideration of donations in his honor and memory to the Col. Vernon R. Edmondson Endowment Fund at the New Mexico Military Institute or the Ruidoso First Christian Church.

Visitation

LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso
341 Sudderth Dr.
Ruidoso, NM  88345
Friday, October 30, 2015
5:00 PM until 7:00 PM

Service

Graveside Service

Ft. Stanton Cemetery
Ft. Stanton Road
Ft. Stanton, NM  88323
Saturday, October 31, 2015
9:00 AM

Memorial Service

First Christian Church
1211 Hull Road
Ruidoso, NM  88346
Saturday, October 31, 2015
11:00 A.M.