Today, the world became a little dimmer. On June 5 , 2025, we lost Vern—a soul whose presence was a light in so many lives, and whose sudden passing has left a trail of heartbreak that words can barely capture.

Vern wasn’t just a name to those who knew him—he was a force. A steady, kind, and loyal presence. A person who showed up when it counted, who carried his friends through tough times, and who brought humor and humility into even the darkest spaces. His passing is not just a loss for his family and friends, but for an entire community who felt his warmth, his laughter, and his unwavering support.

There was something about Vern that made people feel at ease. Maybe it was his laid-back nature, or the way he could make anyone laugh even in the hardest moments. Maybe it was the way he listened—really listened—or how he always managed to find something good in others, even when they couldn’t see it in themselves. He had a rare heart—gentle yet strong, worn proudly on his sleeve—and now that heart is still, the silence left in its absence echoing louder than any words ever could.

Those closest to Vern are shattered. Friends are struggling to comprehend how someone so vibrant, so alive, could be gone. Family members are clinging to memories, to the way his hugs felt, to the way he said their names, to the sound of his voice calling out across a room. Everyone who knew him is holding onto fragments of him—moments, stories, smiles—because that’s all we have left.

And what’s hardest is knowing there was so much more ahead for Vern. So many more laughs to be had, roads to travel, dreams to chase, people to meet. It feels cruel that life can be taken so abruptly, so senselessly, leaving behind only the weight of grief and the haunting question: Why?

But even in this devastation, we remember. We remember Vern’s fierce loyalty. His ridiculous jokes. His ability to make you feel like you mattered, even on your worst days. We remember how he lived—with passion, with honesty, with love—and we hold that close.

This isn’t goodbye forever. This is a pause. A moment of mourning for a man who deserved so much more time. Vern’s story may have ended too soon, but the chapters he wrote in our lives will be re-read, retold, and relived forever. His legacy is etched into everyone he loved and everyone who loved him.

We’ll never stop missing you, Vern. We’ll never stop needing you. And we’ll never forget you.

Rest in devastating, eternal peace.