Vernon Lloyd Lupton: May 7, 1941 – Oct. 26, 2016

Vernon Lloyd Lupton died at his home in Oak Harbor on Oct. 26, 2016, at the age of 75.

He was born May 7, 1941, in Lowland, N.C., to Sherman and Lizzy Lupton. Vernon was the youngest of five boys in the Lupton family.

Sherman Lupton died during WWII, and the boys all went to work at very young ages to help support the family. Vernon worked at several odd jobs before deciding to enlist in the U.S. Navy. He was a black shoe sailor serving two deployments aboard ship during the Vietnam War. Leaving the service, Vern began a career with the federal civil service, assigned to the Navy calibration lab system.

The cal lab took Vernon around the world. He was married, and the Philippines became his new duty station. He survived a volcanic eruption and the birth of two sons. From the P.I., the Lupton family traveled to Italy and, in 1994, Whidbey Island became home. In 1996, facing another major move, Vernon elected to retire to Oak Harbor.

Vernon decided to begin dabbling in real estate and purchased rental units in Oak Harbor, Bellingham and Bremerton. He enjoyed managing his properties.

Vernon enjoyed country music, western movies, spending time with his buddies from the cal lab and his friends around the world, exploring his family genealogy and being a grandpa to Jacob Dean Lupton, his favorite grandson.

Vernon is survived by two sons, Philip Lupton of Lynnwood (spouse) and Greg Lupton of Mount Vernon (spouse); one grandson, Jacob of Lynnwood; and one brother, Charlie Lupton of Franklin, Va.

A cremation was held. A family graveside committal service will be held Saturday, Feb. 25, at Sunnyside Cemetery, Coupeville.

Please visit Vernon’s page in the Book of Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home &Cremation, LLC Oak Harbor.