Vernon Eugene “Vern” Edwards passed away on April 16, 2026 in Spokane, Wash. at the age of 88.
He was born on Feb. 14, 1938 in Winterset, Iowa to George and Mildred Edwards.
Vern was raised in Topeka, Kansas and later graduated from high school in El Segundo, Calif., where he met the love of his life, Glenola (Glenny) Kay Bronson. They were married on June 26, 1959, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in faith, family, and devotion.
He proudly served in the United States Air Force as a senior airman, working on radar and navigation systems at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, N.M. Following his military service, they moved back to Southern California to raise their growing family.
In 1970, Vern and family moved to Pendleton and later settled outside Hermiston, where they lived on a small farm on Craig Road for over 50 years. Vern was as devoted to farming as he was to teaching, quietly working evenings and weekends while building a life centered on hard work and care for others.
Vern earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, graduating summa cum laude from West Coast University, and later completed his master’s degree at Washington State University, where he also pursued doctoral coursework. He worked as an electrical engineer with Packard Bell Electronics Corporation before discovering his true passion—teaching. Vern was a professor for 29 years at Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton and also taught part time at Washington State University Tri-Cities, where he found great joy in helping students understand the mysteries of electronics.
A man of few words, Vern was known for his patience, dry sense of humor, and warm, genuine smile. He was thoughtful, creative, and always willing to help others, often finding simple solutions to complex problems. Despite humble beginnings, he built a life marked by steady success, deep faith, and unwavering commitment to his family.
Vern loved his Lord and Savior and dedicated his life to serving others. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him—for his quiet strength, generous spirit, and the many lives he touched through teaching, mentoring, and love.
Vern is survived by his beloved wife, Glenny, of Spokane; his children, Debbi (Tony) Dyson of Spokane, Ken (Teresa) Edwards of Spokane, Keith (Carolyn) Edwards of Lewiston, and Jeremie Edwards of Hermiston; nine grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Carol Mitchell of Lawndale, Calif.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Joyce Harris.
A celebration of life will be held on June 20, 2026 at 1 p.m. at Oasis Vineyard Church, 1255 S. Highway 395, Hermiston.
Please share memories of Vern with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
