BUCKLIN – Vernon James Freshour, 81, passed away Thursday, March 1, 2018 at Hill Top House, Bucklin.

He was born July 15, 1936 in Dodge City, KS, the son of Floyd James and Nina Alberta (Skeen Freshour. He met Margaret Nichol in Holy Lock, Scotland. They were married April 24, 1970 in Ladson, South Carolina. They were married for almost 36 years.

He was a graduate of Bucklin High School and attended Dodge City Junior College. He joined the Navy in1954 and was on active duty for 24 years. He served aboard five submarines, one twice. While initially earning the rating of Chief Torpedoman qualified in submarines, he retired as a Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine Launch System Technician. He made several submerged patrols that each lasted an average of 77 days. The total submerged time equates to over four years underwater. He served his country with Honor and Pride. He same as wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for an amount up to and including his life. A fleet Ballistic Missile Sailor serving on submarine is a man who is willing to leave his family and home, while he subjects himself to the tedium of repeatedly going where, he did not know, to stand ready to do something he wished fervently never to do, only to return to port to rest a while so he could do it over repeatedly. This was because the Fleet Ballistic Submarine's mission is to remain undetected ready to fire their missiles on order of the President of the United States from unknown parts of the world in the defense of our country. He wore few medals, was never the subject of an individual monument to his tireless efforts while seeking no special favors for his many sacrifices except to serve his country.

He was a Broker licensed by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission and owned the Freshour Furniture in Summerville, South Carolina.

He was an active life member of the United States Submarine Veterans Inc.; American Legion Post in Bucklin, Kansas; and Veterans of  Foreign Wars Post in Dodge City, Kansas.

Survivors include brothers Kirk Freshour and wife Judy, Colonial Beach Virginia and Lynn Freshour and wife Alice, Spotsylvania, Virginia: Several nephews, nieces, great nephew and great nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Margaret, brother Tom and sister Louise and brother-in-law Leland Durham.

Graveside services will be 1:00 pm Saturday, March 10, 2018 at Hillcrest Cemetery, Mullinville, with Rev. Mark Fillmore officiating and full military honors by the United States Navy and Bucklin American Legion Post 269.  There will be no public viewing.