Vernon Bruce Smithson (Vern) was born in Gorby Arkansas on May 29, 1939 to Anette Betreecy (Owens) Smithson and Joseph Thurman Smithson.  Vernon had six siblings: Willard, Ruth (Caton), Ruby (Fulbright), Joyce (Blue), Charles and Richard Smithson.

In 1947 the Smithson family moved from Arkansas to Wenatchee, Washington where the children attended school, worked in the fruit orchards and began their own families.

In 1959 Vernon married Duana Vale Schaefer and they had three children, Verna (Harbaugh), Angela (Hawkins) and Julie (Harvey). Vernon and Duana divorced and in 1974 Vernon married Marilyn Rae Okler who he was married to for 42 years until her death in 2016.

Vernon asked Jesus into his heart when he was in his early twenties and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Everett, Washington.  Vernon loved the Lord and attended Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Washington which was founded by his sister Joyce and her husband reverend Ken Blue.

Vern worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad for many years as a General Foreman out of Seattle before retiring with his wife Marilyn.  Together they enjoyed racing horses – especially their quarter horse, Spanish Taylor.  Vernon was an avid hunter and loved to run his beloved tractor and build things including a beautiful home in Agness, Oregon where he and Marilyn spent the remaining years of their retirement.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn, his brothers Willard, Charles, and Richard, his sisters Ruth and Ruby, his grandson Bobby Keck and his stepdaughter Debbie Glaefke.  He is survived by his sister Joyce and his daughters Verna Harbaugh, Julie Harvey and Angela Hawkins, stepchildren Thayne Westerman, Cheryl Williams and Craig Okler, fourteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.