Vernon Leroy Booker

Vernon Leroy Booker, 96, passed peacefully July 24 at The Lodge in Fayette, MO. Vernon was a resident of rural Boonville.

He was a member of the Greatest Generation and served his country during WWII.

Vernon Leroy Booker was born October 23, 1926, the son of George William and Bertha Pauline Booker. As a young man he worked as a grocery store clerk delivering groceries in Howard County and as a taxi driver in Boonville.  It was as a taxi driver where he met his future wife Betty Joan Kueckelhan. They married Dec 1, 1950, at the First Presbyterian Church in Boonville, MO. They had three children: David, Monte, Betty and raised a granddaughter, Tawnya. He worked for Southwestern Bell for 30+ years. He retired from the telephone office in 1984. He never missed a day of school and even more remarkably never missed a day of work. He enjoyed hunting with his son. He was an avid outdoorsman who was outside working until the dark would no longer allow it. He would walk up and down Hwy F to insure his good health. He and his wife would play cards with friends and family any time they had a chance. After retirement, he was a hardworking man who provided for his family and friends as a gardener. The love he had for his family was of playful adoration. He was a member of the Howard Lodge #4 and Cooper Lodge #36 for 70+ years.

Vernon was preceded in death by his wife Joan of 72 years, parents George William and Bertha Pauline, his brother Bill and grandson-in-law Andy Zeller. He is survived by his sons David (Terry) Booker, Monte Booker and daughter Betty Booker. He also leaves behind grandchildren Tawnya (Clay) Hollon (who they raised), Kelly (David) Brush, Camie (Corey) Turner, Leslie (Ernie) Phillips, Cassandra Redman, Jon Booker, Hallie (Jeremy) Barton, Zeb Booker, James (Jessica) Vollmer, and Michelle Zeller and great grandchildren Brooks and Benton Brush, Carson and Caycee Turner, Abby Parker, Lilly and Lainey Booker, Marjorie Barton, Allie, Cayley, and Ian Hollon, Madilyn and Brooklyn Vollmer, Raelyn and Spencer Zeller and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. Louis Shrine Hospital, 4400 Clayton Ave.,St. Louis, MO 63110
Visitation for Vernon and Joan will be held at Howard Funeral Home Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. A masonic service honoring Vernon will begin at 7:00 p.m. Celebration of life will be at Howard Funeral Home Friday, August 11, 2023 beginning at 9:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Old Lamine Cemetery.

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