Vernon A Wood ...RIP

Backpacker, Runner, USMC fighter pilot, Husband, Father, Airline pilot, Dirtbike rider, Activist, Grandfather...Vernon lived life to it's fullest. His vitality will be missed by all who knew him.

More pictures of Vernon can be found in the gallery.

In Remembrance of Vernon Albert Wood

Vernon Albert Wood was born in Seattle, Washington on November 19, 1928. Vernon passed away on July 22, 2012, due to injuries sustained in a automobile accident on July 11, 2012. Vernon's family moved to Los Angeles, Ca soon after his birth. The family lived in Kingman, Az for a short period during his youth. He participated in Track and Field, at Belmont High School and was part of the team that won the All City Track and Field championship. Vernon had many odd jobs as a boy mowing lawns, shoe shining... Vernon attended LA City College. Before joining the Marine Corps he worked for California State Parks, at Redwood State Park.  Vernon served in the USMC as a fighter pilot  in Korea in 1955. When he returned home Vernon worked at Big Basin Redwoods State park. Then he spent a summer working a Fire Lookout in Washington State, Siouxon Peak. Vernon attended forestry school at UC Berkeley and the UC Berkeley Field training camp near Quincy, Ca. Vernon's Navy flight training instructor told him American Airlines was hiring pilots. He applied and was hired in 1958. Then he was laid-off for nearly a year before being recalled, Vernon worked as a ticket agent, for American Airlines, in the interim. He flew out of LAX until 1970 when he transferred to San Francisco (SFO).

Vernon married Lucile Martin on May 17, 1958. Vernon's son, David, was born on February 25, 1959, followed by his daughter, Susan on January 23, 1960. The family lived in Lynwood, Ca. in 1960 the family moved to Granada Hills, Ca. before moving to Thousand Oaks, Ca. In 1964 the family built a vacation cabin at the Ponderosa, Sequoia NF. December 1970 the family moved to Vacaville, CA. Vernon and Lucile moved to El Dorado Hills, Ca. in 1989, following his retirement with American Airlines. Vernon's wife began to show signs of Alzheimer’s at this time. Vernon moved to Chicago Park in 1999 to be closer to his daughter and grandchildren. 

Vernon retired from american Airlines in 1988. He enjoyed fishing, backpacking, snow skiing, dirt biking, running, water skiing, jet skiing, mountain biking and maintaining his property. He participated in the Old Timers National MX series as an Intermediate rider. He was a member of the Sacramento Jammers MC in the 70's, the Sierra Old Timers MC in the 80's and a life member of AMA/D36. When Vernon turned fifty, he finished the Hawaiian Marathon in under four hours.

Vernon and his wife Lucile enjoyed traveling before her illness. They had trips to Hawaii, Boston, New York, Fiji, Lucile’s Family home in Jamesville, NC. Costa Rica, New Zealand, Yugoslavia. Took the Motorhome to Idaho, Yellowstone, Banff and Vancouver, Canada. Cruises to Alaska, the Caribbean , Hawaii and many Off Road motorcycle races.

The funeral will be on August 4, 2012, at 10:00 am. The location is the Colfax Cemetery, I-80, at N. Canyon and Cemetery Road, Colfax, Ca 95713. Followed by a reception at the family's home.

In lieu of Flowers, a donation to the Pacific Legal Foundation, in memory of Vernon Wood.