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Vernon Ray Ribera, age 94, of Rockwall, TX, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in Dallas, TX, on August 6, 2022.
He was born January 13, 1928, in Boswell, OK, to Adeline (Angelly) and Ralph Ribera. Vernon grew up on the family farm, raised by his older sister and an uncle, after being orphaned at six years of age. He graduated from Boswell High School in 1944 at the age of 16 and joined the Merchant Marine, making supply runs across the Atlantic during the last year of World War II. In February 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces.
After the war, he returned home and earned a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and joined the Oklahoma National Guard. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean War and served at the rank of master sergeant as acting platoon leader of a rifle company with the 45th Infantry Division, the “Thunderbirds,” and saw combat in the Chorwon Valley during the bitterly cold winter of 1951-52.
He received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the Combat Infantry Badge. He continued to serve in the National Guard until 1962 and rose to the rank of first lieutenant. On March 21, 1958,
Vernon married the love of his life; Rose May (Clesi) Ribera. He received a Master’s degree in Mathematics from Rutgers University. He moved his family to Oklahoma City and then finally settled in Edmond, where he taught Computer Science at the University of Central Oklahoma, retiring in 1990 as Professor Emeritus.
Vernon was very social and loved spending time with family and friends. He was a master woodworker and was an active member of the Terry Fisher American Legion Post 117 in Rockwall. He will be missed deeply.
Vernon is survived by his son: David Ribera and wife Andrea; daughter: Leslie Ledda, and husband Francesco; grandchildren: Allison, Tyler, Calvin, and Rose; and a host of extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife: Rose May Ribera; his parents: Adeline and Ralph Ribera; brothers: Oscar, Henry, Martin and Marcus Ribera; and sister Mary Darnell. Funeral services were held 10:00am, Saturday, August 13, 2022, at First United Methodist Church in Rockwall, TX. Visitation took place at the church one hour prior to the service from 9:00am to 10:00am. Family and friends gathered for fellowship after the service.
Interment will take place at 11:00 am on Friday, August 19, 2022, in DFW National Cemetery, Dallas, TX. Funeral services are under the direction of Rest Haven Funeral Home, Rockwall, TX.
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