Vernon "Vern" Stubblefield

Stubblefield, Vernon "Vern"

also affectionately known as "GPV" (Grandpa Vern) by his grandkids, died peacefully on November 7, 2024 at 90 years old. Vern showed his fortitude at an early age after spending 18 months in Shriners Hospital for corrective foot surgery. Returning home to rural Missouri, he rode his horse to a one-room school house and attended a high school with no library before earning his bachelor's degree from Wichita State, (this despite being told he was wasting his time enrolling as he'd never even seen a card catalog!). Vern further proved them wrong by earning his master's degree in Counseling from Cal State Fullerton. He was a counselor in Ladue School District for 25 years, where he helped guide hundreds of students into the future while earning the respect and admiration of parents and faculty. Two of the things he loved the most were managing sixth grade camp and canoeing with student groups and family members through the boundary waters. He was named Suburban School District Middle School Counselor of the Year in 1994. Family was his top priority and he was a wonderful dad to his kids and step-kids. His kids and grandkids remember his ability to drive a hard bargain-they were to pick up rocks from his Ozark vegetable garden in exchange for a pull on a tractor tire tube and a zip sled on Table Rock Lake - old style water sports ! He also threw great family parties -who can forget the magician, the earth ball, the game booths, the pony rides, his Werewolf and Santa Claus costumes and family bingo! His kids and grandkids greatly respected him, as it only took a look (he called it his counselor look) or a word to set them straight. He was famous for awarding certificates to the grandkids who could pass a test such as driving the tractor or the boat. He was his wife Carol's favorite person, and they spent their years raising their kids, spending time with grandkids, gardening, and traveling the world.

Vern is survived by Carol and his two sons, Scott (Melissa), and Stephen (Laura), his daughter Susan Stroh, his stepson Tom Wied (Marisa), his stepdaughter Nancy Golliday, as well as 16 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his stepson David Wied (Amy) and son-in-law Bob Stroh.

Vern donated his body to St. Louis University School of Medicine. No service is planned, but as Vern was a kind, thoughtful, and giving man who supported a number of organizations, donations in his memory to The Salvation Army, the St. Louis Area Foodbank, or Shriners Children's Hospital of St. Louis would be greatly appreciated.

A SERVICE OF

THE LUPTON CHAPEL