Palestine, Texas - Vernon Joe Freeman, beloved husband, father, grandfather and Palestine native son, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2025 shortly after having lunch with his beloved wife Shyrlee of 69 years. He was 95 years old. He is preceded in death by his brothers William (Bill), Jack, Jimmy and Byron, his sisters Marian, Mary Frances (Mitzi) and Patsy and his daughter Norwynne (d. 2002). He is survived by his wife Shyrlee, sons Paul (Amanda) of Davis, Lauris of Los Angeles and grandchildren Alex of Washington D.C., Ella of Oakland, California and Aaron of Truckee & Davis, California and a network of cousins, nieces and nephews throughout the states.

Vernon was born 5th of 8 children to Byron Arthur Freeman and Lee Anna Walton Freeman in Palestine, Texas on June 21st, 1929. He attended the Frederick Douglass Elementary school in a building rebuilt by his grandfather William Freeman and other Palestine men. Vernon's grandfather William was the first of 3 generations of Freemans to serve as principal there along with Vernon's father Byron and his brother Jack.

After graduating Lincoln High and completing his freshman year at Jarvis Christian College Vernon enlisted in the Army then two years later reenlisted in the Air Force where he attained the rank of Chief Master Sergeant and served as Senior Airman Advisor to the two-star general in command of the 17th Air Force at Ramstein, Germany.

In all Vernon's military career spanned 27 years and found him stationed in the US and on bases around the world including Korea, Germany and Japan.

In 1956 Vernon married Shyrlee Arbaugh, a school teacher from Oklahoma, and gave birth to their first child Norwynne Jo in Tokyo, followed by sons Paul in Colorado Springs and Lauris in San Antonio.

Vernon retired honorably in 1973 and chose Sacramento, California to continue his life of public service, in 1979 becoming Executive Director for the United Christian Centers, a non-profit that provided training and services to underserved community members. That same year Vernon was appointed to serve on the Sacramento City school board, elected as president in 1984.

Vernon retired in 1994 to enjoy travel, social and civic events with Shyrlee, golf with friends and fellow retirees and watching his three adored grandchildren grow up and the oldest two graduate from college.

A memorial is scheduled for Wednesday July 9th at 11AM at Eastlawn Funeral Home in South Sacramento. If desired, in lieu of flowers please donate to a trusted charity or public service organization of your choice.