Vernon S. Tegland

Vernon S. Tegland, 93Long-time Sun City and Peoria resident Vernon S. Tegland died Oct. 1, 2007 in Rancho Mirage, Calif.He was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1913, a simple mid-American start that, like so many of his generation, belied the challenges and experiences ahead. He grew up and attended school in Windom, Minn., and married Jessica Thake. They had four children – Suzanne, Lenore, Bette Louise and Leighton.Mr. Tegland was called to active duty in 1941 as a first lieutenant. After serving in Alaska, Guam and Saipan, he left the active service and became a colonel in the Army Reserve, with mobilization at the Pentagon.In civilian life, he owned and published three newspapers in Minnesota and California, then settled in Riverside, Calif., where he was a business owner and community advocate for nearly three decades. Receipt of the Silver Beaver and Silver Antelope awards capped 50 years of service to and affiliation with the Boy Scouts of America. Years before, he'd attained Eagle Scout status. Mr. Tegland was very active in the Methodist Church at the district level and held various positions in Pacific Southwest Conference.After retiring, he moved to the Valley of the Sun, where he resided for most of the last 30 years of his life. An avid golfer with five lifetime holes-in-one, he served as president of Sun City's Union Hills Country Club.Mr. Tegland was preceded in death by a daughter, Lenore, and his wife, to whom he was married for more than 50 years. A few years later he married a Westbrook Village neighbor, Claire Jones, who had three grown sons. They were married for 10 years and the two families melded as one. Ms. Jones also preceded Mr. Tegland in death.Like his mother, Mr. Tegland was fortunate in that his family ran to five generations at his death – three children, eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.A service was conducted Oct. 23 at Riverside National Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation in Mr. Tegland's name to either Disabled American Veterans or The First Tee.