James "JIM" Nolan Vernon

James “Jim” Nolan Vernon, 80, passed away on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11, 2025, at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, Washington. Jim was a loving husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, and friend and will be missed by all who knew him.

Jim was born in Vernal, Utah, on June 10, 1944, to Morris “Babe” Joseph Vernon and Helen Marshall. He grew up on a dairy farm in Vernal, Utah, and participated in football, baseball, basketball, and track while attending Uintah High School. He won the mile at the Utah state track championships in his division three years in a row (his junior year, he missed breaking the state record by a fraction of a second, at 4:32.9). He also played the lead role of Curly in his high school’s production of the musical Oklahoma. He was awarded a scholarship to attend and run track at the University of Utah. There, he pursued a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.

As graduation approached, he knew that he would likely be drafted by the Army to serve in Vietnam as an enlisted soldier. To make his post-college path more predictable and agreeable, he voluntarily joined the Air Force as an officer. His first assignment in the Air Force was at the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned a master's degree in structural engineering. In Pittsburgh, he met the love of his life, Helen Kent Gaspard. They were married on August 17, 1968, surrounded by family and friends. A few weeks later, on September 10, in the Salt Lake City temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they were sealed together for time and for the eternities as well.

Shortly after the wedding and sealing, Jim deployed to Vietnam. He served at Pleiku Air Base for 12 months, from 1968 to 1969. Upon his return, Jim and Helen committed to staying in the Air Force and made it their life for the next 30 years. They were stationed in Omaha, Nebraska (where he earned an MBA at the University of Nebraska); Dayton, Ohio; Berlin, West Germany; Ramstein Air Force Base (AFB), West Germany; Washington, D.C.; San Antonio, Texas; Hampton, Virginia; Ramstein AFB, Germany (again); and Dayton, Ohio (again). In 1997, Jim retired from the Air Force as a colonel in Dayton, Ohio.

During Jim’s time in the Air Force, he received many decorations and awards, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (six times), Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (four times), Air Force Organizational Excellence Award (three times), National Defense Service Medal (two times), Vietnam Service Medal (four times), Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon (two times), and the Air Force Longevity Service Award (seven times).

In summer 2004, Jim was diagnosed with a rare form of soft tissue cancer around his right hip and in his right leg (caused by exposure to Agent Orange during his time in Vietnam). To treat it, his right pelvis and leg were surgically amputated. A few weeks after his diagnosis, Helen was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Initially, they both went into remission, but Helen's cancer returned, and in 2007, she passed away.

Jim survived his cancer and, despite his physical limitations, lived his final 20 years serving others and doting on his family. He filled a wide variety of volunteer positions in Dayton, Ohio, and Spokane, Washington, including at thrift shops at Wright-Patterson AFB and Fairchild AFB (thrift shop service was Helen's joy and after her passing, volunteering at Air Force thrift stores helped Jim feel connected to her), YWCAs, and domestic violence shelters. He also volunteered for SNAP, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), and Transitions, and served in temples and his local church congregations. He also babysat his youngest grandchildren, Levi and Myles frequently, which brought him great joy. He was known to all for his positivity, listening ear, sense of humor, sincere smile, and especially his generosity.

Jim loved running, playing racquetball, the Pittsburgh Steelers, music, reading (his favorite book was Les Miserables), spending time with his family, and most recently, knitting hats for the homeless. He and Helen cherished their union, their role as parents to their four beloved children, and their Faith.

Jim is survived by his sons, Michael (Renatha) and Matthew (Brenda), and daughters, Rebecca and Rachel (Cody), as well as his brother Russell (Diane), four nieces and nephews, and 10 grandchildren. Jim is preceded in death by his mother and father, older sister Loa Daun, and by his adored wife, Helen (by 17 years). He never remarried and wore his wedding ring until the day he died.

Funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 1620 East 29th Avenue, in Spokane, Washington, on Saturday, May 17 at 4 p.m. A public viewing will occur beforehand from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the same location. After a brief service and viewing at the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary on Wednesday, May 21 at 11 a.m., Jim will be laid to rest in the Maeser Cemetery in Vernal, Utah, next to his wife, Helen, never to be parted again. Military honors will be presented by the American Legion.