In Loving Memory

Vernon Leon "Sonny" Clemons

Vernon Leon "Vern" Clemons, age 87, passed away in Kettle Falls, Washington on June 14th, 2023, with his sons, Jeff and Wade by his side.  Vern was born on June 22, 1935 to Claude and Thelma (Wilkinsen) Clemons in Roseburg, Oregon.

At a young age, Vern's family would relocate to Parkland, Washington, where he would begin attending school.  As soon as he reached adulthood, Vern began his military service, serving for two and a half years in the Korean War.  He would meet the love of his life, Claudette Roberts, and the two would be wed on May 28, 1958.  The couple would welcome their first son, Michael, that following December.  Soon after the birth of their second son, Wade, the family would relocate to Kent, and Vern began a career at Boeing as a crane and forklift operator.

In June of 1969, Vern and Claudette would welcome their third son, Jeffrey, and relocate to Renton.  At this point, Vern had begun a career in trucking, transporting goods throughout the west coast, and the Summer of 1970 would see the couple completing their family with the addition of their daughter, Nancy.  Continuing on with his trucking career, Vern started driving a tanker truck for Arco in the mid 70's, retiring in 1985.  As his children began to grow up, Vern had some additional time for his pastimes, he began motocross racing in the mid-70's, the early 80's would see his foray into snowmobiling, and the boys got him interested into jeeping in the mid-80's.  His love for racing led him to be a common sight at many of the stock car races at the Northport raceway, as well as the Eagle Track Raceway in Republic.  He also had a great love for the outdoors; if he wasn't on some sort of machine exploring, he could be passing the time camping, traveling, or fishing.

Vern would return to Boeing after Jeff and Nancy graduated, spending another 11 years before retiring again in the late 90's.  Desiring a slower pace of life than was being offered on the coast, Vern and Claudette would venture to Colville, purchasing a piece of land on Arden Butte Rd.  They would stay in their motorhome for 6 months while their home was being built, and settled into it in December of 2000.  Vern would once again return to work, driving truck again, this time transporting bulls and cattle between Washington and North Platte, Nebraska.  After his third and final retirement, Vern was able to devote his time to traveling with Claudette, and spending time with the family and friends he loved and cherished.

In death, Vern was reunited with his loving wife of 64 years, Claudette Arlene Clemons; and his parents, Claude and Thelma Clemons.

Vern is survived by his children, Mike (Marcie), Wade (Colleen) Jeffrey (Jennifer), and Nancy (Van Johnson) Clemons, of Washington; his grandchildren, Makayla, Dylan, Amanda, Kyle, and Derik; his great-grandchildren, Carter, Briggs, and Axel; along with numerous extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

A celebration of Vern and Claudette's life will be announced at a later date.  Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.  Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with Vern's care and cremation.