Well the arrangements have been completed. On Tuesday March 8, 2011 at 2:00pm at the Garden City Funeral Home, Missoula, MT 59802, a Memorial Service will be held for our friend Vernon. The full obituary should available on Saturday 3/5, or Sunday 3/6 at missoulian.com.
Vernon would be especially Honored by the heartfelt tribute given by the Summitpost community in this forum.

rip

There have been many posts about the quality of man that Vernon was. He left behind a legacy of words and photos that now will serve as a living memorial here on SummitPost. I think this is fitting as he was truly burned with passion about the place that I and countless others care for deeply as well.

I had the opportunity to meet Vernon in Missoula in the spring of 2010. At that time he was so hopeful to be able to come to Glacier again and climb. I regret that he did not get to fulfill that dream. It would have been an honor to climb with him. He truly was a kind hearted man who was extremely passionate about life.

Vernon was gracious and welcoming when I started posting new peaks and routes in Glacier. He was always willing to make a suggestion and offer solutions as well as received recommendations that I made for our collaborated page on Mount Grinnell. He represented everyhtning that is good about this community.

Thank you SaintGrizzly ...

I feel a little strange about leaving this message to you. I never knew you, I didn' know your friends and we never spoke via this site. But in the short time I've been a part of SP, my appreciation for the wilderness and the mountains, there's a family here and to a small extent I feel I knew you. The mountains bring out all the best in us and I can tell that you were the very best. My heart truly goes out to you SG, to your family, friends and hiking buddies. I can see the impact you have left and that is special. Troy

The Missoulian published a nice article on our friend Vernon Garner aka Saintgrizzly on Memorial Day!
Here

What a nice tribute to Saintgrizzly (and SP) from his community. I think small cities/towns like Missoula sometimes get things right!

T Sharp, whenever I feel down about the SP community due to some periodic outbreak of petty arguing (in the forums or on an article/trip report) or whatever, I will turn to that uplifting article about Vernon and his commitment to this special place (SP) in the cybercloud.

Thank you for sharing.