Vernie Lee Parrott Jr.

1949 - 2021

VERNIE LEE PARROTT JR.
February 4, 1949 - February 3, 2021

Born in Bakersfield on February 4, 1949 to Vernie Sr. and Doris Parrott, Vernie was the oldest of three children. He moved with his folks early on to Shafter, where he attended elementary through his first two years of high school. He completed his junior and senior years at West High in Bakersfield, graduating in 1967. During this period he was active with the Boy Scouts, and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He attended Biola College in La Mirada, and Bakersfield College; and graduated from Cal State University Fresno with a BA in Political Science in 1972.

Most of Vernie's working years were spent in the Los Angeles area. He began as a secondary school teacher. He was then employed with the federal government as an Import Specialist with the Department of Homeland Security, in the agency of Customs and Border Protection; for thirty-seven years. He retired in 2013. Coworkers describe Vernie as "easygoing, a great teacher and team leader".

Vernie was always willing to help a friend or charitable organization, whether it was lugging a very large manikin to various locations to help his wife teach CPR; travelling to the Bay area to assist an out-of-state friend recover from surgery; decorating floats for the Rose Parade; or landscaping with Habitat for Humanity/LA Garden Club. Such activities were a joy for him. Travel, both near and far, was a passion. He became proficient at both skiing and sailing.

Despite battling multiple system atrophy (a neuromuscular degenerative disease) for approximately the last three years; Vernie always remained courageous, a true inspiration! He was predeceased by his parents and by his younger brother Mark.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-one years, Joyce, a resident of Los Angeles; his brother and sister-in-law Dennis and Dava Parrott, of Bakersfield; sister-in-law Pamela Parrott, of Stockton; his Aunt Joyce Bragg, of Bakersfield; and five nieces and a nephew.

A celebration of Vernie's life will take place later this year.