Vernon V. Hyatt

1916 - 2005

Vernon V. Hyatt July 3, 1916 September 11, 2005 Vernon passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, September 11, 2005 after a lengthy illness. Memorial services will be held on Sunday, September 25, 2005, 3:00 p.m., at the Bethany Lutheran Church, 900 Day Street, Bakersfield, California. Vernon was born in Loup County, Nebraska one of nine children born to Henry and Mabel (Austin) Hyatt. The first years of his life were spent in the ranch lands of the Sand Hills. He attended the one-room Knobby Ridge School and spent most of his formative years working the land surrounding his home. The family relocated to Minnesota where Vernon was employed at the Breezy Point Lodge. He met and married Thelma Van Scoy of Pequat Lakes, Minnesota on May 20, 1939 in Nisswa, Minnesota. Their first years of marriage were spent at their home in Brainard, Minnesota where their two sons, Terry and Ronald, were born. The following 25 years of his life Vernon was employed by Western Contracting, a national contracting company, and were spent moving his family throughout the states on various long-term projects. The family moved first from Brainard to Pierro, South Dakota and eventually to California. It was during these years that he developed his many talents for all aspects of commercial construction and quality managerial skills. In California, Vernon accepted employment as the Superintendent overseeing construction of the California Aqueduct from inception to completion. In 1962, his beloved wife passed away and in 1967 he remarried Winnie Lee Fosta of Lodi, California. Soon after, they relocated and settled in Bakersfield where he and his son, Ronald, were Contractors in the construction field. Vernon was a seasoned bowler and was active in the State, Senior State and Bakersfield Bowling Associations. He served as President of the Bakersfield Bowling Association in 1990-1991 and was inducted into the Bakersfield Bowling Association Hall of Fame in March, 1998. As President of the Senior State Bowling Association in 1997-1998, he was inducted into the California State Senior Hall of Fame in 1999. He is survived by his son, Ronald of Lake Isabella, California and his wife, Judy; his son, Terry of Puento Gorda, Florida and his wife, Germaine; companion and longtime friend, Doris Atwater of Bakersfield, CA; 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and many special nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife Thelma; wife, Winnie; his father, mother, 4 brothers and 4 sisters. He will be laid to rest with graveside services in Pequat Lakes, Minnesota alongside his wife and mother of his children. The family is very thankful for the many kind expressions of support and sympathy. They would also like to extend a special thank you to the nurses, caregivers and ministers from Optimal Hospice as well as Dr. Todd Lewis for their help and support during Vernons extended illness. Throughout his lifetime, Vernon lived with clarity of purpose and he enhanced and inspired the lives of all those privileged to know him. He will be greatly missed by many. Legacy.com