Fox, Vernon Lee (1937-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Aug 21 p. 1

Birth date: 1937 Jul 24

text of obituary:

GRACE CHILDREN’S HOME YOUTH KILLED IN FALL FROM LOAD OF HAY

Henderson, Neb. — A 15-year-old boy living in the Grace Children’s home here was instantly killed Friday afternoon when he was thrown from the top of a truck load of alfalfa.

Funeral services for Vernon Lee Fox were held Monday.

The lad was riding on top of the load as the truck passed under a telephone wire, which caught him throwing him to the ground. Cause of death was a broken neck.

He had attended Berean academy at Elbing, Kansas ark planned to return to school there this fall.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Aug 28 p. 9

text of obituary:

VERNON LEE FOX

Vernon Lee Fox was born on July 24, 1937, at Fairbury, Nebraska, to Vernon and Myrna Carmen-Fox. He died on August 15, 1952, at the age of 15 years and 22 days. He was thrown from a load of hay by a telephone wire, was immediately unconscious, and left his earthly body while it was en route to the Henderson Community hospital.

Vernon spent his early years in and near Fairbury, and came to Grace Children’s Home, Henderson, Nebraska, together with his two brothers in 1945. At Grace Children's Home he soon joined the foster family of Superintendent and Mrs. Paul F. Barkman and remained in their care until his death.

Vernon attended the Berean Academy, Elbing, Kansas, for one winter and looked with anticipation to his soon-expected return.

A few days before his death he rejoiced to find that he was the first of the Barkman foster family to reach the coveted stature of a full six feet. In emotional balance and intellectual ability he was most unusually gifted.

Vernon accepted Jesus as his personal Saviour soon after coming to the Children’s Home, but, according to his written statement, did not finally settle all doubts about his eternal salvation until July 1, 1951. His spiritual stature was in full growth. For several years he had expressed the conviction that he was called of God to the Christian ministry. He was a faithful reader of the Bible, and had underlined hundreds of verses that were of significance to him. Psalm 51 was his favorite. In May of this year he memorized 500 Bible verses and received as an award a Bible and a week at Bible camp. In July he read again the entire New Testament. In August he had memorized three chapters of the book of James.

In one of his last prayers at family devotions he — said, “Lord, I thank you that I am your son.” We who lived with him intimately know that he is God's son, and that he is now in the presence of his heavenly Father.

He leaves behind him his foster parents, Rev. and Mrs. Paul F. Barkman; his natural parents; two brothers, David and Patrick; a half-sister Judy, and many relatives — natural and adoptive. — Rev. and Mrs. Paul F. Barkman and family.