Vernette E. Conner

Vernette Edward (Bud) Conner died July 2 in Boulder City, Nevada. He was 88.

Conner was born April 9, 1926, in Floris, Iowa, to Dale and Janet Conner. He served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a tail gunner in a B-17. His rank was tech sergeant. He was a proud patriot and loved to tell stories of his service and training. He married Irene Elizabeth Anderson in 1947, and in 1950 moved to California, where he raised his family.

Conner worked for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory starting as a maintenance machinist in nuclear research and retired 35 years later as supervisor of Maintenance and Operations. He was a hardworking man and was always tinkering with machines. He will be remembered for his ability to grow the most amazing tasting oranges. He enjoyed dancing. He was a 50-year member of Mosaic Masonic Lodge No. 218 in Livermore, and was a 23rd Degree Mason.

Conner was preceded in death by his daughter, Cynthia Jean Pritchard; wife, Irene Anderson Conner Ryan; sister, Virginia LaVonne Conner Wells; and brother, Victor Parker Conner. He is survived by his daughter, Carolyn Oilar of McKinleyville, California; son, Dale Conner II of Las Vegas, Nevada; sister, Valeta Phillips of Manhattan, Kansas; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at his granddaughter's home in Boulder City, Nevada and burial service will be held July 12 at 2 p.m. at the Diamond Crest Cemetery in Susanville, California.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lend a Hand of Boulder City or Infinity Hospice and sent to Boulder City Family Mortuary, 833 Nevada Way, Suite 1, Boulder City, Nevada 89005.