Individual Details

Vernon Dale Pierce, of Tahlequah, OK, passed from this life and entered into his heavenly home at the age of 80 on July 25, 2021. Vernon was born in Woodland, CA, on Feb 4, 1941, to Everett Pierce and Elva Ramsey Pierce. Much of Vernon's childhood was spent in Oklahoma City, OK, where he became a lifelong OU Football fan; "Boomer Sooner" was one of his favorite phrases and he absolutely loved the crimson and cream colors. At the age of nine, Vernon's family relocated to the San Joaquin Valley in California, where he later met the love of his life, Carolyn Tuttle. Vernon and Carolyn were married on Oct. 25, 1960, and together they raised their family of five children.
Vernon was a gifted singer and guitarist, and he worked as a professional musician until the age of 26 when he dedicated his life to Christ. Shortly after becoming a Christian, Vernon felt the call to preach and began a ministry that continued over the next 50 years. Vernon spent 14 years traveling across the United States as an evangelist and leading the family gospel singing group; he later pastored several churches including the Church of God in Porterville, CA, and Sonrise Church of God in Bakersfield, CA. In 1990, Vernon fulfilled a lifelong dream of returning to Oklahoma. Settling into semi-retirement in Tahlequah, OK, Vernon continued to serve the Lord by ministering at numerous local churches, pastoring at Proctor Community Church in Proctor, OK, and serving as a guest minister at Rocky Mountain Community Church (OK) for several years. Due to his health, Vernon retired from the ministry at the age of 76. In addition to his work as a minister, Vernon owned and operated Pierce Sign Company for 45 years.
Passionate about the study of the Bible, Vernon was known for his amazing ability to memorize and quote seemingly endless passages of scripture. Vernon was a masterful storyteller, and that skill became obvious to everyone who heard him preach; he had a way of getting his point across by weaving colorful illustrations into his sermons that would stick in the listener's mind. Blessed with a quick wit and clever sense of humor, Vernon could make just about anyone laugh, and he possessed a special knack for being able to connect with people and make them feel completely at ease. Vernon was loved by all who knew him and will be deeply missed, but his memory will be cherished forever. His legacy will live on in his family and the many lives of those he helped lead to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Vernon was one of the hardest-working men to ever live, but in his spare time he loved spending time with his wife and family, playing music with his friends, hunting and fishing, and of course, watching the Sooners play football. In his later years, one of Vernon's greatest joys was watching his beloved grandson, Cody, run cross country and play baseball.
Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Elva Pierce, Las Vegas, NV; brother Robert Pierce, Las Vegas, NV; sister Patricia Harrington, Tulare, CA; and grandson Kendall Griffin, Monument, CO.
Vernon leaves behind his loving wife of 60 years, Carolyn, of the home; son Vernon Pierce Jr. and wife, Lori, Krebs, OK; daughter Karen Davis and husband, Tom, Dallas, TX, son Troy Pierce and wife, Tammy, Savannah, OK; daughter Beverly Jeanes and husband, Lance, Tahlequah, OK; daughter Julie Crittenden and husband, Marcus, Tahlequah, OK; 11 grandchildren, including Cody Jeanes, Tahlequah, OK; brother Everett Pierce and wife, Nora, of Weiser, ID, and special friends, Tom and Mary Moore, of Taft, CA, who were like a brother and sister to him.
A viewing will be held Thursday, July 29, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM, family will be present to greet you at Green Country Funeral Home. A graveside service will take place Friday, July 30, at 10:00 AM, at Boudinot Cemetery in Welling, OK.

Birth	4 Feb 1941	Woodland, Yolo County, California
Marriage	25 Oct 1960	Tulare County, California - Living
Residence	Apr 1995	Vian, Sequoyah County, Oklahoma
Residence	2 Nov 2004	Vian, Sequoyah County, Oklahoma
Death	25 Jul 2021	Tahlequah, Cherokee County, Oklahoma
Burial	30 Jul 2021	Boudinot Cemetery, Tahlequah, Cherokee County, Oklahoma

Spouse	Living
Child	Living
Child	Living
Child	Living
Child	Living
Child	Living

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