February 16, 1977 - May 25, 2015
VERNON, Christopher David (age 38) Dr. Chris Vernon passed away suddenly on May 25, while working his rounds at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane. He was born in Olympia on February 16, 1977, to Dave and Johanna (Brown) Vernon. He attended Tumwater schools, was very active in sports, debate, and became fluent in Spanish. Graduating from Tumwater High School, with honors, in 1995, Chris did his pre-med at the University of Washington and graduated a Husky in 1999. He attended medical school at Western University of Health Sciences in Los Angeles, did his residency for 3 years, and accepted a fellowship in 2008. He began his 5 year career as an Intensive Care Physician at Sacred Heart, in 2010. Chris began a 17 year romance with Leah Brereton when they were both Huskies. They married in 2003, and produced three glorious children; Sydney, Tyler, and Emma. He was a wonderful father and doctor; able to manage the unique nature of his job, working 14 hour shifts in intensive care, and then reading Sesame Street to his little ones at home. Chris was preceded in death by his sister, Katie Vernon Ahrens, in 2006. He is survived by, his wife, Leah and the children, of Spokane; grandmother, Donna Brown, of Olympia; parents, Johanna (Dan) Schmidt, of Shelton, and David Vernon, of Tumwater; half-brother, Axel Schmidt, of Ballard; and half-sister, Carli Vernon, or Olympia. There will be a ceremony at Providence Auditorium (next to Sacred Heart Hospital, Spokane WA) on Saturday, May 30, at 3:00 P.M. Community Cremation & Funeral Spokane Valley - 13127 E. Sprague Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99216, (509)926-2020 - Communitycremationandfuneral.com
