Vernon D. Duenwald

Vernon D. Duenwald, 86, died at his home in Oak Harbor on Dec. 23, 2006. He was born June 21, 1920 to Charles M. and Doris E. (Hauser) Duenwald in San Francisco where he was raised. He was married to the former Cora Marie Woodall.

Vernon quit school and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1938. He was sent to electrician’s school. During World War II, he was assigned to the USS Rail. He served as an enlisted ground support staff for the pilots aboard the PT-17’s, then for a squadron of Hellcats and then aboard a squadron of PBYs in Samoa. With his electrical skills, Vernon answered to the nickname of “Sparky.” He also served aboard DC-3s, DC-5s and R-60s.

He was transferred to Alameda, flying transports on a regular basis between California and Japan during the Korean War. The Navy transferred Vernon to Hawaii and he flew aboard Constellations and then sent him on to Memphis for ground electronics school.

Vernon was sent to Bremerton and the aircraft carrier, the USS Kearsarge. After a deployment to San Diego, he was sent to NAS Whidbey Island for seven years, where he was assigned to P2V and A3D squadrons. He traveled on to Moffett Field. Vernon retired from the Navy as a CWO-4 with over 30 years of military service. In 1981, he made Oak Harbor his permanent home.

Vernon and his wife Cora joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1970 and became active in the church. Following retirement, Vernon operated a flower brokerage business in Sunnyvale, Calif., before moving to Oak Harbor. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Third Ward of Oak Harbor and the Masonic Lodge 598 of Honolulu, and The Retired Officers Association.

Vernon is survived by two sons, Douglas R. Duenwald and Roger C. Duenwald, both of Oak Harbor; by three grandchildren: Jennifer C. Bright (Dave) of Portland, Ore., and Andrew D. and Samuel V. Duenwald, both of Hawaii. Two half-sisters, Donna Jean Smith of California and Margery Ethel Smith of Shelton, also survive. He was preceded in death by his wife Cora Marie Duenwald and by one brother and two sisters.

Funeral services for Vernon Duenwald were held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of Oak Harbor on Dec. 29. Burial with full military honors followed at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association or the Diabetes Association. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.