Dr. Robert Loys Vernon, Jr.
June 1, 1932 — October 23, 2015
Dr. Robert Loys Vernon, Jr., died on October 23, 2015 at the Johnson City Medical Center. He had recently moved to Johnson City to live with his daughter and her family. He was born June 1, 1932 in Mayodan, North Carolina to Margaret Tulloch Vernon and Robert Loys. Vernon, Sr., who preceded him in death as well as his wife of thirty years, Veola Mae Robison Vernon. He graduated from Elon College in North Carolina. Also, he received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis. He practiced optometry for over fifty years in Bartlett. Dr. Vernon served as the former President and was a member of the Bartlett Lions Club for over 50 years. Dr. Vernon served as a Captain in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserved AMEDS for over fifteen years.
He leaves both his wife, Jean Atkeison Vernon, and her son Ed Atkeison of Oakland, Tennessee. Robert is survived by his daughters, Melinda Beth Crichton of Johnson City (David), and Betty Robison Shanks of Germantown (John). Also, he leaves six grandchildren, Hall Crichton, Harrison Crichton, and Anna Grace Crichton, Kelly Burrow, Kristin Barton and Joey Shanks and 7 great grandchildren. Dr. Vernon also leaves his sister, Ann Vernon Patterson of Germantown along with a special nephew, Stephen E. House of Germantown.
Services for Dr. Vernon will be conducted at 3 p.m., Friday, October 30th at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel of Oakland with Dr. James Latimer officiating. Visitation will be one hour before services.
The family requests that memorials be made to the charity of their choice.