BUSSARD, Commander Vernon R., Jr. Passed away October 3, 2018. Vernon was born December 11, 1931 in Jefferson City, Missouri the only son of Vernon R. Bussard Sr. and Helen Lucille Bishop Bussard. He attended local schools and graduated from Jefferson City High School in 1949. After attending one year at the local Junior College, he joined the United States Navy. On completion of Recruit Training in San Diego, California, he returned to Jefferson City to marry Marlene Ruth Tremain. They were married May 13, 1951. Vernon attended various technical training schools and was assigned to Naval Station Miami, Florida as his first duty station. In 1953, he was transferred to Kodiak, Territory of Alaska, where he and Marlene spent the next years from 1953 to 1957. Returning to Memphis, Tennessee, he attended advanced Electronic training and remained as an Instructor until he received orders to Officer Candidate School, where he graduated as an Ensign in 1958. A series of assignments filled the next few years. He was ordered to Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, California in 1968. He received his B.A. in Political Science and a M.S. in International Relations upon completion of his studies. After graduation, he was assigned to various Command positions in the Republic of Vietnam, where he sustained injuries that resulted in a disability retirement from the Navy in 1975. Along the way, he was awarded various medals including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Stars with Combat Distinguishing Device, several Navy Commendation Medals, Unit Citations, and other U.S. and Foreign Awards. He commanded USS Vammen, USS Dennis J. Buckley and USS Tulare, and served as Executive Officer of USS Ozbourne during his Naval career, as well as other assignments. After retirement, and after several different occupations, he and Marlene retired to Tucson, Arizona in 1987. Vernon is preceded in death by his wife, Marlene and survived by his two sons, Grant of Tehachapi, California, Keith of Chino, California; a daughter, Crystal Squire of Tucson; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. An Interment Service will be held at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Marana on Friday, October 12, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, family kindly suggests donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at www.cff.org. Arrangements under the care of VISTOSO FUNERAL HOME.
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