vernon

Bryan P. Vernon was born in Beloit, Ohio, a predominantly Amish farming community, on Thursday, April 2, 1964, to Donald and Faye Jenkins Vernon. He was the fourth of five children. Growing up in a small farming community, Bryan always had dogs around. He loved animals. He graduated from West Branch High School, where he was actively involved in the school theatrics program and belonged to a musical club called "Young and Alive". He loved his family and was compassionate to them and to his friends.

Moving to Southern California about 20 years ago, Bryan lived in Temple City for several years. He was a computer "geek" and worked as a programmer for the last few years.

Bryan loved to cook and was always inviting friends over to eat. He made delicious soups, and, when he had a sick friend, they were the recipient of a large pot of soup. He loved to entertain them, and, on Thanksgiving Day, you could find him out looking for those less fortunate than him. When he found a homeless person or someone who's luck was not a good as his, he would give then a plate of food. His home was always open to his friends. They all knew that they could go there anytime, whether they were hungry, or just wanted to visit.

He loved games and loved to go to Las Vegas. He enjoyed gambling, but always set a limit for himself and stayed to it. He loved to go to the Santa Anita horse track and always enjoyed the times he went there with his friends.

A sweet, intelligent person, he had a strong sense of humor, although sometimes it was a bit dark. He loved to dance and he loved music. His collection of CD's grew to be quite large. Bryan was a spiritual man, although he was not too religious. He was tolerant and respectful of all who he encountered. He had total respect for others. His compassion and care of others was very strong. He was genuine in his care of others and would do anything for his friends, including Whiskey, his four-legged buddy. He was affectionate and romantic. He would send cards, notes and flowers to his companion, Darren, on a whim, just to make sure Darren knew how Bryan felt. Bryan and Darren were together for the past 3 1/2 years. Darren described Bryan well when he said that on the outside, he was a very manly looking person, but in his heart, he was innocent and like a child. He loved Darren very much and was loved very much in return.

Bryan lived for today. He left a great and positive impact in the lives of those who knew and loved him.

Just after midnight, on the morning of February 15, 2003, Bryan tragically passed away. He leaves to celebrate his life and to miss him dearly, his mother, Faye Vernon; his father, Donald Vernon; his brothers and sisters, Sherry, Clay, Tom and Donna; his niece, Casey; his nephew, Matthew; and his grandmother, Esther; his aunt, Judy; his companion, Darren; his beloved friends, Bob, Val, Allison, David, Dori, Art, Ross, and other many cherished friends.

A memorial celebration of Bryan's life was held on Saturday, March 15, 2003. His family and friends will be planting a memorial tree in his honor.

I Miss You, I wish this last year can be done over, because I wasn't there for you and from the deepest part of me, I am so sorry..I will always treasure the memories I have with you, Everyday in 1995 cause We spent it together, and We had a Ball! Thank-You,Bryan P.S. I will Never Forget. "It's gonna be fine,fine,fine".....
David Bello
E-Mail: dcbello555@earthlink.net

Eulogy for Bryan P. Vernon
By D. Eddy 03/03

Bryan our dearest of friends, steadfast and surefooted - we love you.
Your memory is so greatly cherished and so deeply missed. Yet this may we understand, that your life contributed to this a better place, full
of giving, full of steadiness and emulating unconditional tolerance and understanding for all.
Your creative spirit lives on in oh so many ways. The zeal you gave and the patience you demonstrated live on to guide us and show us the way to true friendship. Unfettered and with great hope, you poured your love and energy into many an empty vessel and filled them up to satisfaction. When we remember you, our cherished friend, know we have joy in our heart, and peace in our mind. Each day we will meet with the joy we know you would have us own.
And when the sun rises in the early morning, your memory dances upon our soul, and we are glad to have known you brother. Our eyes meet this freshly born day and we feel you in our hearts and minds. Live through each one of us Bryan, allowing us to be a conduit of that everlasting
part of your love.

Now dearest Bryan, we lay you in the peace that only Heaven can offer
each of us. We know and trust your soul is kept safe and loved in the grace that God hath given you, our friend, as well as everyone that one
day will journey in this path along with you.
Bryan, you have not left us, as you have trusted us with your many gifts of love and understanding of life. Personally, you taught me what true friendship really meant. And I can remember your very words guiding me along the troubled waters I
traveled once. In every seeming roadblock, hindrances of many kinds, there you were to lead the way out into a fragrant blossom of loving
friendships gentle way.

Thank you Bryan, oh thank you so very much, my life would never have
been complete without you, thank you dear brother, dear friend, dear leader, dear teacher, pillar of justice and person of peace. These tiny words could never convey our love and respect for you, yet we try with this just once more to say how much you meant to all of us.
Now we rest, and find the completion we know you would have us find. And as we discover these treasures to be shared, we will always remember
you who shared them along with us.

We love you Bryan, Amen. Amen.

Daniel Eddy
sanpedroboy@juno.com

On the 39th anniversary of Bryan's birth, April 2nd,2003. I was 8 years old when Bryan was born on the kitchen floor. That was how I found out where babies come from. The story about me tying him to a tree when he was little is true, but I believe that it only happened once. The only time that I ever saw Bryan sit still, was when he was fishing, and
that never lasted very long. He was a wired little kid, always moving. He learned sign language as a teenager, and it was annoying when you would ask him a question and he would answer with his hands. He could be standing , talking to you, and then take off doing back flips across the yard. Being the oldest child, I had moved away from home when Bryan was 10. I can remember the day his dog Buddy died. He drove up to my
apartment in Kent, Ohio to see me. I called off work, and we spent the day together. When Bryan lived in Cleveland, I was living in Colorado.
The summer of 1985, all 3 of my brothers drove to Denver to spend my 30th birthday with me. The last time that I saw Bryan was when he was back in Ohio for Dad's 70th birthday party, in September of 2001. In March, Mom, Donna and I were in California, to visit a place that Bryan
considered home. With his second mom, we buried his ashes under a memory tree. My dad and brothers helped to plant a tree at his Ohio home, and a Bryan tree stands in the yard outside my kitchen window. I am so glad that I got to meet his friends and co-workers in California, who were a second family to him. Thank you all for loving and caring for my little brother He will live on in all of our hearts, forever.

Sherry Vernon
janofalltrades51@AOL.com

Hi honey, Today is your birthday...I want to wish you a happy birthday in heaven. I feel sad...wish you were here...wish I could take you to Vegas to see
"O", wish I could take you to Four Queens to have prime ribs, wish I could play "Jackpot Party" and "Little Green Man" with you...wish I could
hold you just one more time. I really really miss you, you know? Life is not as colorful withou you in it. Oh, thank you for the signs the other day, that really made me happy. It's nice to know you are with me. Happy birthday, Boo Lai An. I love you, forever.

Darren
c21darren@yahoo.com

Bryan was a very special friend. Although I hadn't seen him in a few years, his memory has always been with me. Bryan was in a relationship with my best friend, and as it so often happens, when Bryan's relationship ended with my friend, my relationship also ended with Bryan. However, that doesn't change the fact that Bryan was a special person in my life. I'm sorry I didn't talk to him over these last few years. I'm sorry I couldn't have talked to him prior to his death. Not to say that I would have made a difference, but I would have liked the opportunity to try. I love you Bryan. Thanks for all you've done for me.

Art
afg120@aol.com

april 1964.....arrival of bryan porter vernon..........what an amazing debut bryan made into this world those years ago unique and unusual yet wonderful ! he grew to be a wonderful and splendid human being for sure. such a cute lil fella .... always so so entertaining, active, and "oh so busy". adorable in every way with a sweetness and a large heart for all others. when i think of bryan as a kid.........i automatically begin to smile and then actually snicker out loud at times. he was that ornery, cute, and comical. i am 13 years older than bryan and so as adults we were led in different directions and i didn't see him for a a long times. he had moved away. however...........he came home to ohio from time to time and there is one trip that sticks in my mind today..... a big family get-together a couple years ago. i will NEVER forget how tickled and thrilled i was when i laid eyes on him for that first time. about a dozen of us "cousins" were meeting at sherry's house to caravan to the parents home, don and faye vernon, in carroll county. big meeting for planning a huge family reunion. when together, this family depicts the true meaning of "quality time". wonderful visits, food, and fun every moment. that is what this family is made up of.........and therefor that is what ultimately made up bryan. special big harted wonderful people. we whom have been fortuante enough in life to have been connected to them ...........definately have known the experience of making the best memories. good people ...........the very best......always looking forward to the next time there is a get-together and how awesome they can make it for everyone involved. back to the day of our reunion planning meeting......... i remember that day as if it were today. i arrived at sherry's and made my way onto her porch from the drive-way..........everyone was sharing hugs, greetings, giggles............THEN ...there stood bryan quietly just grinning with that darling little boy grin of his.........waiting for me to spot him in the crowd. they had all planned it that way as sort of a surprise .........for me to just spot him not even knowing he was in town. oh my......great big long hugs and lots of noise and laughter was involved in this greeting and so on it was so awesome! i remember being so disappointed and hating when that day ended for all of us........it was just so much of a good time.........nobody wanted to give up and call it a day. it was excellent hearing bryan tell of his life and what all was going on for him in california. bryan had one of those faces and one of those smiles.........that could only be BRYAN. what a personality!!! what a talent !! we learn many things along this path of life........we make glorious memories with those we are fortuante enough to love and have..........if only for a while. nothing can take memories away.................while here and the "music" plays for us.........we must "dance". take the good out of every day and enjoy it to the highest degree. i hope bryan had much happiness and joy along his travels through life........ for he made good memories and great history for so many of us along the way......... for us to enjoy ! my wish , hope , and prayer is for bryan's family and friends to gain happiness as time passes, hold many good memories dear, live in good health, and know that angels are forever and near. bryan.......may you go on in happiness and peace to "dance with the angels" know that many here will continue to miss you and love you. to see you again one day is a joyous thought "lil fella"! i think of you bryan, with a smile and a wish from my heart for your peace.

cousin, debby porter george

deborahgeorge@webtv.net

I miss you, B.

Darren
c21darren@yahoo.com

To infatuate with you, it took one second.
To like you, it took me one minute.
To fall in love with you, it took me one day.
To forget you, it will take me a lifetime.

Darren