On March 7, in Chandler, Oklahoma A bouncing baby boy came to life, The year it was 1935.
Born to Herman Ornan and Murl Manila (Reedy) Zink, his wife.
It was the beginning of an era, One that would last much longer than a blink.
The boy’s name was Vernon Ornan Zink.
Born in the Dust Bowl days, At age 2, to New Mexico, the family would move.
There they raised cotton.
Many stories came from this time, Most starring he, his brother, Harold, and his cousin, Doug. Oh what a time.
At age 13, he, his Mom and sister, Lenora, Returned to Oklahoma, This house he would live in for 50+ years.
On this land he would raise many, many steers. He attended Agra High School Graduating in 1952.
Here he became friends with quite a few.
He would go on to work in the oil field, Serve in the Army and travel the world, This wasn’t his cup of tea, But he did get to see Germany.
On August 12th, 1961, he married a pretty lady, Claudia Marie.
She was a Rudkin from Arkansas way, She became a pretty good farm hand and helped put up a lot of hay.
Of this union was born two daughters, Teresa Marie and 15 years later Melissa Sue.
Both of them favor their father.
Vernon liked to work and work hard he did.
He would farm the land and tend the cattle While he wasn’t at work on the Santa Fe Railroad, on which he worked for 38 years.
Riding rails from Enid to Ponca City and Guthrie to Ark City and on down to Gainesville, Texas is what he did.
Retiring from the railroad in 1998 after working 38. Even while working and running the rails He raised many acres of peanuts without fail.
Peanuts were quite a crop And Filled his and Claudia’s time with no time to stop.
Except for their daily trips to Dale’s, They went daily without fail.
After retiring from one job, He rarely stopped moving.
He would take breaks to hang out with his best friend and cousin Louie Kablooee.
In 1997, his family grew, Teresa married Dennis and gave him a son-in-law.
In 2000, he gained another, Matt was Melissa’s, In 2004, Teresa became a mother to Dillon.
Making Vernon a proud Papa.
In 2008, Melissa provided another grandson, Wayland.
In 2011, rounding out his grandsons, Wyatt joined the crew.
Of his family he was proud.
He would say it very loud.
He loved to tell stories He loved to tell jokes Writing poems, he had a knack, Many people didn’t know that But there were many that he wrote.
In his later years he enjoyed Farming of course, Family time too.
He worked until he couldn’t It brought him much joy, He had a lot of farm equipment, Those were his toys.
On June 30, 2024, at age 89.
God took him home to let him rest.
God knew he had done his level best.
He leaves behind a host of friends and family who were so proud to know him, among those his helpmate of almost 63 years, Claudia. He went on to reunite with his Best Friend and cousin, Louie (Pook), his sister Lenora, brother Harold and his mother Murl, among so many others who have gone before.
Ish Libe Dishe, Vernon, Daddy, Papa.
The family would like to thank those who took very special care of Vernon the last 6 months: OU Edmond ICU staff and doctors Drumright Lux - specifically Christi, Abby and Tami. His friends and caregivers: Becky Watkins Thompson, Teri Smith, Lisa Wayman and Liz Dorsey.
Southern Oaks Care Center Pawnee: Cody, Dena, Venus, Jami.
Traditions Hospice: Tara Davison, Katie, Lisa, Danica.