Vernon, Edward W., 1926-2016

Dates

• Existence: 1926 - 2016

Biography

Edward Wood Vernon was born on December 8, 1926, in Temple City, California.

Ed Vernon enlisted in the Navy to serve in WWII. Upon returning, he attended Pasadena Jr. College and then USC, where he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. In 1947, while he was working on his degree, he married Barbara Lee Vernon. They had three children.

His first job out of college was with General Electric where he worked in various capacities. Ed and Barbara moved from California to various spots in the Midwest and east during his employment with GE. They returned to California where Ed worked for Circle Seal. Later, Ed founded Development Associates in Goleta, California, where he and his colleagues developed the first dollar bill changer.

In 1964, Ed established Development Associates Controls (D.A.C.) in Santa Barbara, a machine tool manufacturing company, specializing in drills and programmers for the printed circuit board industry. By the late 1980s, DAC had become one of the world's leading and most innovative suppliers in this field, and has continued in this role to the present.

Ed and Barbara were members of the Santa Barbara Sailing Club, the Mercury Club and the Santa Barbara Yacht Club. They had many sailing adventures in the Caribbean and South Pacific with friends. They were both members of the Montecito Country Club and were active tennis players there.

After his retirement in 1996, Ed traveled extensively in Baja, California, researching, and writing several books: Las Misiones Antiguas, The Spanish Missions of Baja California, and A Maritime History of Baja California. Ed was also active in many organizations in Santa Barbara including the Santa Barbara Yacht Club, Vistas and the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation.

Ed and Barbara were married for 69 years. They have three children: Marsha Krygier (Jerry), Charles Eddie Vernon (Irene) and Mary Barnhizer, seven granddaughters: Geneva de Geus, Sara Krygier, Rachel Vernon, Jessica Barnhizer, Lauren Hendricks, Kristin Cole and Natalie Barnhizer, and three great grandchildren.

Edward Vernon was known as an intelligent, adventurous man with a positive outlook. He was a man who loved and supported his family. He passed away on February 1, 2016 at age 89.

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