Vernon Grinnell

Published 11:31 am Thursday, June 19, 2025

August 11, 1937 – June 15, 2025

Mr. Vernon Eugene Grinnell, Jr., age 87, of Calhoun, GA, passed away on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

Vernon was born in Chicago, IL, on August 11, 1937, son of the late Vernon E. Grinnell, Sr. and the late Bernice Frances Barzen Grinnell. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Dorothy Griffith Grinnell, brother, John A. Grinnell, and brother-in-law, Bill Griffith.

Vernon graduated Niles High School in Niles, MI in 1955 and was the president of both the band and orchestra his senior year. He went on to attend the University of Michigan from 1955-1960 and was a member of the marching band. One of his favorite experiences was when the marching band played Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D. minor on the football field to an audience of 100,000 and received a standing ovation. He later graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering specializing in Metallurgy.

Vernon worked for National Standard Company for 43 years and retired in 2003. In the fall of 1961, he met Patricia Dorothy Griffith where she was also employed with National Standard Company. They had their first date on October 6, 1961, engaged on October 16, 1961, and married on December 16, 1961, in the First Presbyterian Church of Niles in Niles, Michigan. They were married for 60 years and 11 months.

Vernon became a member of First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1975. He was baptized on October 5, 1997, at age 60. He then became a member of the Stillwater First Presbyterian Church in December 2005 where he became an ordained Deacon, Elder and a Liturgist. He enjoyed taking pictures of new members and making DVDs of various church activities

Survivors include four children: Susan Catherine Pizzarello (Tom) of Lexington, South Carolina, Sandra Alison Grinnell of Greenville, South Carolina, Scott Vernon Grinnell (Amber) of Crestview, Florida, and Shara Ann Hamilton (Larry) of Calhoun, Georgia. Grandchildren: Chase Grinnell, Trisha Hemenway, Amanda Hamilton, and Hunter Hamilton. Great-grandchildren: Maira and Mia Hemenway.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 1:00pm at First Presbyterian Church, 829 Red Bud Road Calhoun, GA 30701.

Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, is honored to serve the family of Mr. Vernon Eugene Grinnell, Jr.