The last family owned funeral home in Thurston County.

Vern died peacefully at age 87 on November 23, 2022 in his home from natural causes.  He had been surrounded by family and friends and his wife Judy over the last few weeks of his life.  He had married Judy Gage in October. 

Vern was born July 11, 1935 in Olympia WA where he spent most of his life, including the last 51 years, married to Diane where they raised their 9 children Denise, Brandon, Debbie, Ryan, Joell, Barrett, Noah, Anna and Patrece.  Vern is survived by his wife Judy, his children, 38 grandchildren and 23  great grandchildren.  Vern was preceded in death by his wife Diane, his parents George F and Violet May Parks and his daughter Anna Marie.   

Vern spent a life devoted to his family, service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and his workers’ compensation consulting company he started in 1968.  He served in the military as a Marine, worked for the Department of Labor and Industries, and as a private investigator.   Vern always enjoyed life fully racing cars, riding motorcycles, captaining his yacht, and piloting his airplane.  But his peace, happiness and fulfilment came from the time he spent in his woodshop where he blessed us all with wonderful cabinets, riding horses, chests, any many other creations including the caskets he and Diane were buried in.