Vernor Earl Courtney of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Friday morning, November 4, 2011, in his residence at the age of 92.

Vernor Earl Courtney was born on April 16, 1919, in Lamont, Oklahoma, to James Paul Courtney and Ida Harvey Callaham. He attended Medford High School and graduated with the class of 1937. He attended Oklahoma University from 1938 to 1942 and was a member of the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band. He was then drafted into the army for World War II. He married Rachel Katherine Surber on April 4, 1942, in Norman, Oklahoma. He served in the European Theatre under the command of General George Patton until discharged in 1945. After serving in the army, he attended the Kansas City School of Watch Making and later opened Courtney Jewelry Store. In 1964 he began selling life insurance and retired after twenty-six years of service. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church choir for 62 years singing and directing. He served as Commander for the American Legion and received his Fifty year pin, member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, served 47 years as bugler for burial team of veterans and received Fifty Year of Service pin from the American Red Cross. He was a charter member and first president of Takedown Club for wrestling and was a member and president of the Quarterback Club. He was a member of the Blackwell Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Commerce and was the Citizen of the Year in 2000.

He survived by his wife, Rachel Katherine Courtney of Blackwell, Oklahoma; two daughters, Melinda Courtney Muck and husband Martin of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Patricia Courtney Williams and husband James of Owasso, Oklahoma; one son, Michael Louis Courtney and wife Phyllis of Fort Collins, Colorado; two granddaughters, Jennifer Williams Russell and Courtney Muck; two grandsons, Matthew Williams and Bradley Muck; and one great granddaughter, Peyton Grace Russell.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Miriam Draper.

Services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 8, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church, Blackwell, Oklahoma, with Rev. Pam Cottrill, First United Methodist Church, Blackwell, Oklahoma, officiating. Burial will follow at the Blackwell Cemetery, Blackwell, Oklahoma.

Honorary casketbearers will be Mike Jeffers, Louis Gose, Jim Willis, Bob Williamson, John Dale and Rollin Vickery, Les Conaway, Max Claybacker, Eugene Braly, J.C. Estes and Dolton Rogers..

Casketbearers will be Matthew Williams, Bradley Muck, Don Sprueill, Paul Bowman, Ralph Gose and Larry Wilkey.

A memorial has been established with the Blackwell First United Methodist Church, c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.