Vern M. Harrington passed away surrounded by his family on July 11, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Vern was born on September 30, 1947 to Vernon H. and Johnnie Lou Terrell Harrington in Texarkana, Arkansas.
Everyone loved Vern. He made friends wherever he went and was known for his warm welcomes. Vern was a friend you could count on; the overseer of the neighborhood, along with his constant companion his Red Heeler, Trixie.
He will be greatly missed by all of his family and numerous friends. Vern's other love after his family was Corvettes. He owned countless classic cars throughout his life, but Corvettes were his passion. His latest love is his 1966 Crystal Red Metallic Stingray. Over the years Vern and his wife, Shirley, went on many memorable road trips with the Corvette Club of Utah. Vern retired from the baking industry after 35 years. But boredom quickly set in and he went back to work for Dresser (GE) for 7 years. Vern loved working in the yard. He won an award for the Most Beautiful Water Wise Yard. Vern enjoyed gardening, swimming in the pool with his grandchildren, playing games and beating everyone in checkers, croquet and Uno. He also enjoyed going to the family\s cabin in Idaho, target shooting, riding the 4-wheelers and relaxing with family and friends. Vern loved the Denver Broncos, U of U football, Utah Jazz and Nascar.
Vern is survived by his wife Shirley, son Jim (Jill), daughter Tisha (Wayne), son Chad (Amy), daughter Jennifer, daughter Angelina (Derek) and 8 grandchildren: Tylynn, Mason, Wyatt, Phoebe, Parker, Whittaker, Macsen and Chandler and his sister Cathy (Paul) Harwood. He is also survived by AJ, Kim, Ed and Mathew whom he considered his other three children and grandchild as well as his large, extended family. Vern is preceded in death by his father VH and his mother Johnnie. We miss you Papa. You will be forever loved.
We wish to thank everyone at the U of U Hospital for their exceptional care of Vern. The family sends a special thank you to Cassie and Aubrey for their particularly compassionate care.
A Celebration of Vern's life will be held in the next few weeks. You may contact his wife Shirley for details.
