Vernon "Vern" E. Clawson SR.

Vernon E. “Vern” Clawson Sr., 78, of Canon City, CO, was called home by his Heavenly Father on
February 21, 2021. Vern was born in LaGrange, WY on February 3, 1943, to Harold and Clara (Cottrell)
Clawson. On February 8, 1969, he married Dorothy “Dottie” Crawford, in Las Vegas, NV. Together, they
have 4 children: Valorie, LeAnne, Vernon Jr., and Melissa.

Vern spent his early years in Rawlins, WY, working in Yellowstone National Park and on a ranch in
Saratoga, WY, before graduating from Rawlins High School in the spring of 1963. That fall, he enlisted in
the Marine Corps and was active duty until 1967, at which time he received an Honorable Discharge.
Vern was extremely proud of his service in the Marines. Following his marriage to Dottie, they moved to
Canon City, CO, and he helped to build the movie set for the locally filmed western “Barquero,” after
which he started his career as a correctional officer with the Colorado Department of Corrections. He
worked primarily at Territorial Correctional Facility in the kitchen until his retirement in 1999, and also
delivered newspapers for several years. Even though he had “retired,” Vern could not keep still. He
worked part-time at AKC & Zak’s convenience store, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office detention center in
the kitchen, and Park Avenue pre-school where he was fondly known as “Papa Vern” to many years of
children.

Vern loved being outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He also enjoyed bowling,
participating in the Monday Night Men’s League and Friday Night Mixed for many years. Together, he
and Dottie also enjoyed square-dancing and were members of the Church Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-
Saints. Vern was a 4-H leader and taught a boys’ cooking class and campfire cooking. When not
participating in one of these activities, he could be found watching westerns -- particularly those starring
John Wayne -- and collecting Coca-Cola memorabilia.

Vern loved his family most of all. He is missed by his loving wife of 52 years, Dottie; his sisters, Laura
Ratliff, and Mary Luane (Truman) Milton, sisters-in-law Jan Patrick, and Sarah Clausen; his children Val
(Don) Berry, LeAnne Beller, Vern (Angie) Clawson, Missy (Joel) Porter; grandchildren: Andy, Keith, Clint,
Chelsie, Reece, Tia, Nate, Jewel, Shayla, Adam, Kara, David, Brittney, and Bailey; numerous great-
grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and Marine Corps brother Jim Tonn. He was preceded in death by his
sisters, Judy and Glenda; his brothers, Harold, Richard, and Calvin Patrick; and by his grandson, Mike.

Following Vern’s wishes, there will be no services.

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