Vermon S. Barney passed from this life on August 13, 2019, in Kanab, Utah.  He was born January 24, 1925 in Hatch Utah and was the third of six children born to Elliot Leon Barney and Velma Sandin.

After graduation from Panguitch High School in 1943, Vermon was drafted into the United States Army and served in the South Pacific Theater during WWll.

On July 19, 1948, Vermon married his childhood sweetheart, Catherine Hurst, in the Logan Utah Temple. They were together for 68 years until her passing in 2017. They are the parents of four children.  He was a wonderful father and husband.  Vermon was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served as a Stake High Councilor and in many other stake and ward callings.

Vermon graduated from Utah State University with a BA in Physical Education.  After graduation, he accepted a teaching position at Escalante High School where he and Catherine taught for two years.  He then attended Physical Therapy School in Los Angeles. He started the first Physical Therapy Department at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.  He practiced clinical physical therapy in Utah and Nevada for seven years. 

Following Physical Therapy School, Vermon accepted a position at BYU where he taught Kinesiology, Neuroanatomy, and other advanced courses in Physical Education.  He was also the team therapist for Cougar sports.  While working at BYU, Vermon earned a Masters Degree in Education and Physical Education and attended Indiana University where he received a Doctoral Degree in Education. He was president of the National Sports Medicine Association. During his 12 year tenure as associate professor at Brigham Young University he published a book and many articles on exercise and fitness.   In 1961 Vermon was named Head of the Physical Education Department and Swimming Coach at Weber State University.  Later in his life, he taught at the Texas Women’s University in Denton Texas.

In 1963, he began his career as Superintendent of Schools in Millard County.  He served for 20 years as Superintendent in Millard, Garfield, and Daggett Counties.   After retiring from Daggett County School District, Vermon and Catherine moved home to Panguitch.

Catherine and Vermon spent countless hours attending their children and grandchildren’s activities.  They were always in a car traveling from a soccer game to a basketball game to a singing recital or dance competition. Their grandchildren and great grandchildren loved to visit them in their home at Panguitch.  All remember these trips as special occasions. 

Vermon gathered friends wherever he lived and he never forgot anyone’s name.  He was an avid outdoorsman, and loved to hunt with his family.  He loved all animals, but his great passion was horses.  He owned and trained many during his lifetime. 

He is survived by his son, Craig Barney (Eva), daughters, Mardie Dodds (Steve), Louise Fink (Dan), and Lisa (Troy); 24 grandchildren and 70 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Elliot and Velma Barney and his siblings, Lola Henrie, Miles Barney, Madeline Middleton, Blaine Barney, Suzanne Hatch, and by his grandson, Brian Fink.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, August 17, 2019 at 2:00PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 550 S 100 W, Panguitch, UT. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 12:30PM to 1:45PM. Burial will be in the Panguitch Cemetery. Arrangements were made with Mosdell Mortuary.