Obituary of Vernon D. Autrey

Vernon D Autrey, 88 went to be with our Lord, on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at+é-á Century Oaks Assisted Living Facility.+é-á He was born in Lakeland, Florida on October 4, 1927 and was raised at the Florida+é-áMethodist Children’s Home in Enterprise, Florida after the death of both his parents.+é-á He served in both the Navy and Air Force during and after World War II.+é-áHe met his wife, Veronica, in Miami, Florida and they were married for 53 years before her death in 2004. They lived in Miami until 1973, when they moved to Palm Bay to+é-ábuild a home on 9 acres at the end of Hield Road, to live the “farm life.+óGé¼-¥+é-á Though only having a 3rd grade education, he worked as a carpenter and then in hospital+é-á maintenance in Miami and then at Sebastian Hospital, until his retirement. +é-áHe was an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church and helped with many of+é-áthe Men’s club activities, including Christmas tree sales and Easter sunrise service breakfasts.+é-á He is survived by his three children, Carol (Bill) Crotts of Palm Bay, Bruce (Sherry) Autrey+é-á of West Melbourne and Dennis (Lee) Autrey of Winter Haven. Grandchildren include Matthew (Amber)+é-áAutrey, Philip (Heather) Cook, Nathan (Tasha) Cook, +é-áElyse (Josh) Huff, Brad Crotts,+é-á Ryan (Danielle) Crotts, Samantha Pace, Shannon Autrey, Jered (Amber) Brady and Jason (Nelly) Brady. Great-grandchildren are Teagen +é-áand Alex Cook and Ryla Crotts.+é-á His family would like to thank all of Vern’s caregivers at Century Oaks over the past 8 years.+é-á They took great care of him until his passing. +é-á A small family service will be held at a later date at the memorial garden at Wesley Methodist Church.