Vern John Lyon, Jr.

December 6, 1966 - February 12, 2013

Vern John Lyon, Jr. (Junior) June 1, 1941 - February 12, 2013 Vern John Lyon, Jr. was born in Emmetsburg, Iowa on June 1, 1941. He was the only child of Vern and Mary (Clark) Lyon. He lived with his parents on a farm near Curlew, Iowa until graduating from Laurens High School in 1959. During his High School years Vern started his first business Verns Hedge Trimming Service. After graduation Vern continued his landscaping business while also working at the local grocery store in Laurens. In addition Vern also attended The American Landscape School of Des Moines, Iowa graduating with a Certificate on March 1, 1963. Vern John Lyon, Jr. and Linda Lou Wassom were married August 18, 1963 at the Trinity Methodist Church in Webb, Iowa. Vern and Linda started their married life at Wall Lake, Iowa. On August 5, 1964 their first child, John Vern Lyon was born. Their second child Lauri Lea Lyon was born on December 6, 1966. In 1967 the family moved to Ruthven, Iowa. Their third and final child Jay Harold Lyon was born August 19, 1971. In the mid 1970s Lyon Landscaping became Lyon Fence Service. Vern and his family removed old and built new farm fences. Following the farm crisis Vern sold cowboy joke books, hat pins, tie tacks, hay moving equipment, and sew-on patches. Later Linda would travel with Vern on his many trips and sell her homemade crafts. Vern become a legend in his own time. He was interviewed by many newspapers and magazines, made an Honorary Duke of Hobos and was given the nickname ?Krazy Karney for the antics and extremes he will go to make a sale or at the very least educate someone. Staples in his bag of tricks included plastic hotdogs, black bees from east Texas, a rubber chicken and his faithful invisible dog to name a few. He delighted in telling people their shoes were not the same. Despite his own problems, Vern was friendly, smiling, and quick to make a joke and loved to see those around him smile even if he made himself the center of the joke. Vern John Lyon Jr. passed away Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at the St. Lukes Lutheran Nursing Home in Spencer, Iowa. A Tribute/Memorial time of service will be held Monday, February 18, from 3:00-5:30 PM at Hope Reformed Church in Spencer, Iowa. Harris Funeral Home of Mallard is in charge of arrangements.