Robert “Dean” Vernon of Richardson, age 81, passed to eternal life on December 5, 2008. Born March 12, 1927 the native Texan was the 13th of 14 children born to William Henry and Annie Minerva (Grimes) Vernon. Mr. Vernon graduated from North Texas State University (now UNT) in 1950 with a BA degree. He married his college sweetheart, Doris Marie Taylor, on September 3, 1950 in Olney, Texas and their daughter, Kathryn Ann, was born to them there on May 12, 1954. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War and was stationed at Williams AFB in Arizona. After active duty, he owned and operated businesses in Abilene, Texas along with his father-in-law, James Corless “J.C.” Taylor. In 1965, he moved his family to Dallas and began a long career at Texas Instruments (TI) as Contract Administrator, serving as a liaison between the U.S. government and TI. He retired from TI in 1991. During their marriage, the Vernons traveled extensively, both abroad and in the U.S., many times alone but often with family and friends. Excellent gardeners, they relished their rose gardens at their Richardson home. Square dancing was also a favorite past time in their younger years. Active members of The Heights Baptist Church since 2001, they previously worshipped at Prestonwood Baptist and considered their many friends at both churches to be part of their extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, ten of his elder siblings, and his in-laws, J.C. and Mary Taylor. He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Doris, loving daughter Kathy and husband, Larry Magruder of Carrollton, brother James Wells “J.W.” Vernon and wife, Janice of Abilene, sister Adeline and husband, Mack Young of Azle, sister Vivian and husband, Joe Feree of Frisco, and countless nephews and nieces and their children. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 10, 2008, at The Heights Baptist Church, 201 West Renner Rd. in Richardson, with Dr. Gary Singleton and Rev. John Palmer officiating.