Obituary for Vernon L. Pellman, Jr.

Vernon Louis Pellman, Jr. (Vern), 82 years old of Oro Valley, AZ passed away unexpectedly in his sleep at home August 11, 2023. Vern was born at home to Vernon, Sr and Lena Rue (Adams) in Pennington Gap, Virginia on July 24, 1941. He grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, attending Roger Bacon High School where he excelled at extemporaneous speaking, baseball, football. Relocating to Bay Village, Ohio between his sophomore and junior year,
Vern graduated from St. Edwards High School. He enrolled at the University of Notre Dame where he was a member of Air Force ROTC. He graduated in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree.

Vern began his Air Force career at Vance AFB, Enid, Oklahoma where he attended
undergraduate pilot training. He was a Command Pilot and spent nearly 30 years in the service where according to him, he never worked a day in his life. He traveled the world flying into and out of places many can only imagine. Following his retirement with the rank of Colonel in 1992 from the Air Force, he went to work as the Senior Vice-President for maintenance at Evergreen Airline. Pursuing another opportunity, Vern went to work at Flight Safety International where he was a Lear instructor for many years.

Vern’s faith was central to his life. He served as a Eucharistic minister, Sacristan, and
the head of the altar servers. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Mark the
Evangelist Roman Catholic Church. He was an avid golfer and a student of the game. He
played every chance he got and especially loved getting to play with his family.

Family was Vern’s purpose in life. He loved each of his family members with ferocity.
He leaves a beautiful legacy in his children: Julie Anne, Vernon III (Andrea), Kurt Ross (Amy), Shannon Lee (Laurie), and Heath (Amanda); his grandchildren: David Shaw (Megan), Ross Kauffman (Taylor), and Morgan Adams Gillette, Sarah Anne Pellman-Webb, (Cayden Head), Emma Sue Berg (Alan), Chase Michael Pellman (Lauren), Riley Kay and Rhett Donavon Pellman; and great-grandchildren: Alliah and Ty Dodd, Aiden and Carson Gillette, Eleanor Berg, and soon Myles Vernon Head and Madelyn Sue Berg.
He is survived by a brother Gary (Susie), Lana, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

On Wednesday, August 16, 2023, a Rosary will be held at 10am at St. Mark Catholic Church at 2727 W. Tangerine Rd., Oro Valley, AZ 85742. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.