Vernon Dale Atwood

Born to Bernard and Josie Atwood in Scofield Oregon, in a logging camp in the foothills of the Oregon coast range, he grew up in Washington County moving to Walla Walla, Washington for high school. After graduating he joined the Air Force eventually becoming a jet pilot flying the F-86 Sabrejet on the East German border. He married Joanne Lawrence, from Walla Walla, WA and had two children, Marcelyn and Kent who was born while Vern attended Washington State College in Pullman and graduating in 1960.

Hired by the First National Bank of Oregon serving as an Agricultural Field Representative and a Loan Officer for Crook, Jefferson, Wheeler and Deschutes Counties assessing farm values. After a year as the Executive Secretary of the Oregon Cattlemen's Association in Prineville he moved to Washington County. A lover of animals, Vern served in the Oregon State University Extension Service as an 4-H Extension Agent for over 9 years. He took a sabbatical, completing a Masters degree at Oregon State in 1974.

His love of flying didn't go unanswered. He joined the Air Force Reserves in Portland flying the F-4 Phantom.  Upon moving to Salem and leaving the Extension Service, he became a full-time technician with the Oregon Army National Guard Aviation, earning his helicopter wings and commanding the 1042D Aerial Surveillance Squadron. After his divorce, he moved to Prineville and completed a total of 22 years of military service retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Vern met and married Marilyn Hanson after returning to the place he always called home, Prineville. Marilyn and Vern were owners of Atwood & Atwood Real Estate before he accepted a position as a corporate jet co-pilot and Property Manager for Les Schwab Tires. Vern located and purchased new store sites throughout the western United States.

Officially retiring in 1993, he and Marilyn enjoyed winters in Arizona, watching OSU Beavers football, gardening, golfing and traveling around the Pacific Northwest. He is survived by his wife Marilyn, her daughter Lisa Jackson of Wenatchee WA and son Philip Hanson of Boise, ID, his son Kent B. Atwood, Clancy, MT and his daughter Marcelyn Atwood, Alexandria, VA and 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be held in late April 2017 in Prineville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society of the Ochocos or a charity of your choosing. 

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