Greenlee, Vernon

Dr. Vernon Greenlee

Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday at Cope Memorial Chapel in Farmington.

Dr. Vernon Greenlee, 83, of Farmington, died Saturday, Jan. 22, 2005, at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington.

He was born on July 28, 1921, in Clara, Mont., to John G. and Alice Greenlee.

He graduated from Pacific University with a Doctor of Optometry degree in 1951. He began an optometry practice in Las Vegas, N.M., and in Los Alamos, before moving his practice to Albuquerque. In addition, he had an optometry practice in Clovis for a brief time, before moving to Farmington in 1983. He retired in 1997. Family members said he loved to fish and hunt, and the great outdoors. He was a life member of the Benevolent and Protective Order Elks and the Disabled American Veterans. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II with the First Batallion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Division from 1940-1945. Having served in New Guinea in 1944 and was wounded and transferred from a field hospital to Australia. He was finally transferred back to Washington and Oregon hospitals, where he was discharged in 1945. He was a member of the Kingswood United Methodist Church in Clovis.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret of Aztec; two sons, Donald V. Greenlee (and wife, Jean) of North Hollywood, Calif., Dave L. Harris (Sue) of Sandy, Utah; three daughters; Debra Berkner (Doug) of Herndon, Va., Pamela Reid (Mike) of Aztec, and Marsha Crook (Rex) of Los Alamos; two brothers, Clarence Greenlee (Jackie) of Salem, Ore., and Dale Greenlee (Lois) of Ukiah, Calif.; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

The Rev. Bill Ivins will officiate the services.

Arrangements are by Cope Memorial Chapel of Farmington.