Dr. Charles Redfearn Vernon, Sr., 75, of Columbia, passed away on Wednesday July 9, 2014. He was born on October 17, 1938 in Bennettsville, SC, and was the son of the late Grant Vernon of Cheraw, SC and Katherine Vernon (Redfearn) of Mount Croghan, SC.

Dr. Vernon graduated from Dreher High School, Columbia, SC in 1956. After high school, he served in the United States Marine Corps until 1958. He attended the University of South Carolina and then went on to obtain his medical degree from Duke University. He completed his residency at the University of Florida College of Medicine in 1967, and in 1968 he served as Chief Resident at Duvall Medical Center in Jacksonville, FL. During a cardiology fellowship at the University of Florida, he met the love of his life, Linda Kiser Vernon, to whom he would be married for 41 years. After marrying on April 24th, 1971 in Gainesville, FL, they moved to South Carolina where he devoted his time to his family and his medical career at Richland Memorial Hospital and G.W. Bryan Psychiatric Hospital.

Dr. Vernon is remembered by his friends and family as being a true renaissance man who enjoyed reading, cooking, music, fishing, hunting, and teaching. He was an accomplished pianist, being recognized by the National Guild of Piano Teachers for his outstanding musical technique and ability. He passed his love of music on to his children, who remember him playing pieces by Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, and Scott Joplin.

Survivors include daughter, Elizabeth (Jay) Bell of Charleston, SC; son, Charles R. Vernon, Jr. of Columbia, SC; niece, Kathryn Vernon of Elgin, SC; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Dr. Vernon was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Vernon; his daughter, Jennifer Lee Vernon; and wife, Linda Kiser Vernon.

A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Dr. Vernon's life will be held from 4 until 6 o'clock, Sunday afternoon, July 13th, at St. Michael and All Angels' Episcopal Church, 6408 Bridgewood Rd, Columbia. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Charles R. Vernon Memorial Fund, c/o Pawleys Island Beautification Foundation, P.O. Box 2712 Pawleys Island, SC 29585.