Vernon Lewis Wellborn

Funeral services for Lt. Col. Vernon Lewis Wellborn retiredof Henderson will be held at 2pm Friday January 30, 2009 in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home in Henderson with the Rev. Jimmy Simmons officiating. Burial will follow at Rusk County Memorial Gardens. Mr. Wellborn died Sunday January 25, 2009 at Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler. Vernon Wellborn was born November 15, 1919 in Henderson to E.C.& Birdie Lee Lewis Wellborn. He resided in Henderson with a large extended family until the early 1930's when his father moved the family to Del Rio to take position as a school administrator. Mr. Wellborn graduated Del Rio High School in 1937 and attended Texas A&M. He then returned to Henderson where he married Martha Jeaneva Dorsey on June 8, 1941. When World War II began he learned to fly, and was accepted into the Cadet Pilot Training Program of the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1943. In later years Mr. Wellborn kept up with the young men in his flight class 43K by attending the class's annual reunions. Mr. Wellborn was veteran of World War II and Korea., serving as an instructor pilot in numerous types of aircraft during World War II and as an aircraft maintenance officer in Korea. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star for his service in Korea. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1967 as a Lieutenante. Colonel. Mr. Wellborn loved aviation, photography, travel and playing the organ. He was also a great story teller. Following retirement from the Air Force, he organized many travel-trailer organizations, and served as an officer in several of those organizations. After he and his wife returned to Henderson, he loved drinking coffee and sharing experiences with friends at Hershel's. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Earl C. Wellborn Jr. and grandson Shannon McPherson. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Jeaneva; daughter Deanna Wellborn Smith & husband Ben of Azle; daughter Janie Wellborn McPherson & husband Ronald of Farmers Branch; grandchildren Ben Smith & wife Lori of College Station, Andrew Smith & wife Kellie of Corpus Christi, Heather McPherson Falk & husband Robert of Houston, and Ronald McPherson & wife Lauren of Corpus Christi; great grandchildren Morgan, Zachary and Nathan Smith of College Station, Kathryn Bailey and Elena Barbara Falk of Houston; and nephew, Earl Clarke Wellborn III & wife LaVanna of Pflugerville, and children Lee and Miranda. The family will meet friends at the Funeral Home from 5-7pm Thursday. The family request memorials be made to Grandview Missionary Baptist Church, or St. Judes Hospital for children. Family members will serve as pallbearers.

Vernon Lewis Wellborn

November 15, 1919 - January 25, 2009