Vernon John Skoglund passed away on May 3, 2019, in McKinleyville. He was born on December 13, 1947, in Seattle, to Sigurd and Cecilia Skoglund.

Vernon grew up in Seattle, where he spent many hours working on cars and fishing with his father and mother. In 1967 he enlisted in the US Army. He served in the United States Army as a Combat Infantry Soldier in the 508th Infantry 82nd Airborne Division in Vietnam. As a specialized Fire Infantrymen Vernon made parachute jumps into hostile territory in Vietnam. His duties consisted of conducting scouting missions; defensive and retrograde ground combat; and employing crew and weapons in offensive operations as a pathfinder. Vernon’s heroic efforts in Vietnam earned him Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Badge and the Vietnam Cross Gallantry Commendation. His services reflect great credit upon himself, 508th Infantry Airborne Division, Unites States Army and the United States.

Upon discharge from the Army, he attended University of Washington, graduating with a BA in Business Administration. Vernon worked for the bank of Idaho before moving to California and working for Bank of America as a loan officer and bank manager. While at Bank of America Vernon met his wife, Karen, and they married in Hoopa in 1979.

Vernon left the bank in 1988 and attended Humboldt State University, earning a multiple subjects teaching credential and then a social science single subject credential. Vernon taught at Jack Norton Elementary and Hoopa Elementary, coaching the boys basketball team, before teaching at Eureka High School from 1992 to 2009 in the Social Studies Department. He especially enjoyed teaching economics to seniors and loved to teach real-world lessons to his students that mirrored the U.S. economy. One lesson he particularly enjoyed was selling muffins to students at a huge mark up and demonstrating to them the concept of supply and demand. Lively discussion always ensued.

Vernon spent many hours working on his property in McKinleyville, building a farm for his daughters and wife for their horses and other animals. Summers were spent watching them compete and supporting them exhibiting their animals at the Humboldt County and Redwood Acres Fairs. He also served the Humboldt County 4-H as President and Treasurer.

Vernon is survived by his wife Karen, daughters Korby and Karling, sister Charlene McNaughton (David) of Seattle Washington, nieces Amanda McNaughton and Katrina McNaughton (Omar Hassek) and many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

A celebration of life and lunch will be held on Sunday, May 19 at 1 p.m. at Vernon’s home. Email karlingskoglund@yahoo.com for directions if needed.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Vernon Skoglund’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.