Dr. Christopher David Vernon

February 16, 1977 - May 15, 2015

Dr. Christopher David Vernon 02/16/77 - 05/27/15 Dr. Christopher David Vernon, age 38, passed away suddenly on May 25, 2015 while working his rounds at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane. He was born in Olympia on February 16, 1977, to Dave and Johanna (Brown) Vernon. He attended Tum-water schools, was very active in sports, debate, and became fluent in Spanish. Graduating from Tumwater High School with honors in 1995, Chris did his pre-med at the University of Washington and graduated a Husky in 1999. He attended medical school at Western University of Health Sciences in Los Angeles, did his residency for 3 years, and accepted a fellowship in 2008. He began his 5 year career as an Intensive Care Physician at Sacred Heart in 2010. Chris began a 17 year romance with Leah Brereton while they were both Huskies. They married in 2003, and produced three glorious children: Sydney, Tyler, and Emma. He was a wonderful father and doctor; able to manage the unique nature of his job, working 14 hour shifts in intensive care, and then reading Sesame Street to his little ones at home. Chris was preceded in death by his sister, Katie Vernon Ahrens, in 2006. He is survived by his wife, Leah, and children, of Spokane; grandmother, Donna Brown, of Olympia; parents, Johanna (Dan) Schmidt, of Shelton, and David Vernon, of Tum-water; half-brother, Axel Schmidt, of Ballard; and half- sister, Carli Vernon of Olympia. For donations: please send to: httg//www.gofundme.com/vqzwx8g This fund is an education fund for the children of Chris and Leah.