Vernon John Proctor

Vernon John Proctor, 62, of Rocky Ford, Colorado passed away unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. He was born December 20, 1959, in Rocky Ford, to Vernon Eugene and Joan Wilda (Fraser) Proctor.

He attended grade school at Vroman and finished his school career at Rocky Ford High School. He graduated with the class of 1978. He played football for Jess Downey and was proud to be a part of the fall 1976 State Runner-up team, who lost in double overtime to Burlington on a freezing cold day with snow piled all around the field. He also played basketball under the direction of Norman Roberts. He loved telling stories of his younger days, but his best stories were about his beloved farm. Vernon John made his living “playing in the dirt” and made many sacrifices throughout his life for his farm, as he loved being on a tractor, harvesting his crops and watching the baby calves grow and be sold each year. He never missed a sunrise and would take a picture of it almost every morning. Every day he would feed the cattle, check the water on the fields and then head to have coffee with the guys at the breakroom he built with his sons; then it was off to breakfast with the crew at Christine’s.

Vernon John was one to always lend a helping hand, money, time or equipment as he had the most generous and compassionate heart. He did not know a stranger and made new friends everywhere he went. He loved to wheel and deal and expected a man’s word and handshake to be good as gold. He saw potential in everyone and said everyone deserved a chance to prove themselves. He enjoyed spending his evenings watching the sunset on his patio, floating in his stock tank pool and sipping on crown and coke while telling stories of his day. He was satisfied with life’s simplest things and never complained or panicked about anything as he would always find another way to do or fix it.

In January of 1986 Vernon John married the love of his life Yvette Carrica in Rocky Ford. They were blessed with two sons, Vernon Heath and John Rhett. His boys were his greatest joy in life, and he was so very proud of them. He lived the dream of being able to farm side by side with his boys, teaching them many important values in life like how to love, work hard, help others, and never to give up. When his boys decided to marry, he was so excited as he finally got two daughters he never had. Kelcie and Cayla were teased or questioned non-stop, but they always knew they were loved. His greatest gift came in May when he became a grandpa to Knox Vernon. He was so proud that the “Vernon” name continued on and told everybody just how special Knox “Rooster” was to him. The pressure was then on for Rhett and Cayla to have a friend for Knox to play with.

Vernon John served on several boards throughout his life: Rocky Ford National Bank, Rocky Ford Co-op, Patterson Valley Water, Arkansas Valley Fair, Arkansas River Roundtable and the Highline Canal. He took his board member duties seriously and knew that people’s livelihoods depended upon the decisions he made, he wasn’t just in it for his own interests. He did his homework and wasn’t afraid to be the only “no” vote. He stood up for what he believed in and fought against what he felt was wrong. He was a 4-H leader for several years and was also a member of the Rocky Ford Elks Lodge.

Vernon John is survived by his wife, Yvette; son, Vernon Heath, husband of Kelcie (Weiss) Proctor of Rocky Ford, and son, John Rhett, husband of Cayla (Grasmick) Proctor of Rocky Ford; his grandson, Knox Vernon; son to Heath and Kelcie.

Additionally surviving are his mother, Joan; brothers, Dwight (Julie) Proctor of La Junta, CO; Matthew (Brooke) Proctor of Rocky Ford, CO; sisters, Gail (Brian) Knapp of Rocky Ford, CO; Peggy (Alan) Frantz of Rocky Ford, CO; many cousins and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Vernon, mother-in-law, Geneva Thaxton, father-in-law, Erv Thaxton and many special aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A Celebration of Life for Vernon John will be held on January 21, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. at the Gobin Building in Rocky Ford. He would want no one to cry, but for everyone to eat, drink, dance and share a memory of him.

In lieu of flowers those wishing to do so can make memorial contributions to the Children’s Glaucoma Foundation (www.childrensglaucoma.org) or Farm Rescue (www.farmrescue.org).