December 6, 1930 - February 11, 2022
Vernon Lewis Vignolo Jr., of Linden, CA, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2022, at the age of 91. Vernon was born in Stockton, CA on December 6, 1930, and spent most of his life living in his hometown of Linden, CA. Vernon was proceeded in death by his parents Margaret Vignolo (née Jacinto) and Vernon Lewis Vignolo, sister Norma Jean Vignolo, and his son Vernon Lewis “Chippie” Vignolo III. He is survived by his wife Novella Marie Vignolo (née Hash), daughter Chantel Vignolo, grandchildren Tacoma Tomilson (née Peets) and Stephen Tomilson, Reianna Peets, Timothy and Stacey Vignolo, Tyler and Lisa Vignolo, and his sister Linda Armanino (née Vignolo). He has four great-grandchildren: Amos, Karen, Greyson, and Iris. He is also survived by Daniel Shanahan and Jerry “JR” Reed, both of whom he regarded as adopted in love as his sons.
The son of farmers, Vernon was raised in Linden, CA and spent his youth exploring the rivers and creeks of the Central Valley, riding motorcycles, enjoying great conversations with Linden friends, and spending time with his grandparents, aunts, and uncles who lived nearby. He and Novella met as children in Bellota, CA and were married on December 29, 1951. During their 70 years of marriage they lived in California, Georgia, Texas, and overseas. Vernon served in the U.S. Air Force as an airplane mechanic between 1950 and 1955 and was deployed to the state of Georgia as well as to Casablanca, Morocco during his service. Upon retirement from the U.S. Air Force, Vernon and Novella returned to California where Vernon ran a foreign auto body shop in Modesto, CA, and later took over the Vignolo family ranch east of Linden in Bellota, CA. There he and Novella farmed cherries, apples, and walnuts. On the ranch Vernon and Novella lived next to their daughter and granddaughters and were able to enjoy years of seeing the next generation grow. During the mid-2000s, Vernon and Novella moved to Dickens, TX to care for Novella’s mother, Veda Hash, and to maintain the Hash family ranch. Vernon made lifelong friends in Texas and everywhere he went. He and Novella moved back to Linden, CA full-time in 2014.
Vernon loved anything mechanical, especially sports cars and motorcycles, and he had a great appreciation for animals, plants, and the beauty of the natural world. His interests included archaeology, geology, ocean life, the Spanish language, and desert environments. He and his wife spent many years exploring the U.S. southwest and Baja California where they rock hunted, fished, camped on the beach, and enjoyed the company of friends far and wide. They also spent many years as pit crew for foreign car auto racing events in California and volunteered for multiple years with the Flying Samaritans in Baja California.
One of Vernon’s favorite pastimes was reading car magazines and National Geographic over a cup of coffee. He also enjoyed spending time in his auto shop on the ranch, hanging out with his dogs Watson and Boadicea, and connecting with friends and family who would stop by the ranch to catch up and enjoy Novella’s Italian cooking. Vernon was also artistic, had a keen interest in learning how things worked, loved to meet new people, and yet also appreciated a quiet moment sitting on the patio watching the birds and cars go by. Vernon was someone who felt emotions deeply, had a playful sense of humor, and loved his friends as family. Vernon will be missed and remembered by those who knew him for his hearty laugh, kindness, gentle spirit, charm, love of good food, friendship, and his ability to make anyone feel welcome.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Vignolo family.
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