Vernon Kirk Sessions

Vernon Kirk Sessions, 91, of Centennial, Colorado, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2020. He was born on June 12, 1929, in Byron, Wyoming, a town settled by his great-grandparents. Vernon was the 4th child out of 5 born to Kirk and Pearl Lynn Sessions.

Vernon was a star athlete in high school playing any sport he could, but especially basketball and football. He loved music and had the starring role in "Sunbonnet Sue" during his senior year. He attended Powell Junior College in Powell, Wyoming before joining the United States Navy in August 1948. He received an honorable discharge in August 1952 after serving on three different ships and fighting in the Korean War.

Vernon married the love of his life, Evelyn Jane Hyde on May 6, 1951 on the Naval Destroyer Base in San Diego, California. With Evelyn by his side, he attended College and Law School at the University of Wyoming. Both Vernon and Evelyn had a strong love of learning which showed in how they raised their children.

Vernon and Evelyn were blessed to be the parents of two daughters and one son. Sandra Jayne Sessions was born 4 weeks before Vernon was discharged from the Navy and Steven Scott Sessions was born during Vernon’s time in Law School. On July 29, 1962, tragedy struck the family when they lost Sandra in an accident. On October 15, 1962, Vernon and Evelyn were sealed in the Logan Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with Sandra and Steven. On May 10, 1966, Melissa Rea Sessions joined the family. On June 8, 1978, Melissa was sealed to Vernon and Evelyn in the Salt Lake City Temple. What a special day for the family!

Vernon’s legacy includes love of the Lord, serving others, and joyfully living his life with “no regrets.” As a trial attorney for 60 years, he was at home in the court room. Vernon was always available to help those who needed legal representation. He loved those he served in his legal profession and that legacy will truly live on. Vernon’s greatest service came through his service to the Lord. He served in many callings within the Church of Jesus Christ.

The biggest impact on Vernon and his family was when Vernon and Evelyn were called to serve as Stake Missionaries for 18 months in the Capitol Hill Branch. Upon their release, instead of returning to their home Ward, Vernon was called as the Branch President of the Capitol Hill Branch. Vernon served in this calling for 3 years and grew a small branch with an average of 12 people in attendance to a Ward with over 140 regularly attending members. When the branch became a Ward, Vernon was called to be the first Bishop of the Capitol Hill Ward, where he served for another 5 years. These 3 callings made a huge impact on his family. A legacy of love was shared with multiple generations of family and Church members, never to be forgotten. Vernon and Evelyn also valiantly served in the Denver Colorado Temple for 10 years. Many great blessings came from this time of service in the House of the Lord.

Vernon was extremely active and had a great love of the outdoors. He always saw beauty everywhere! He absolutely loved fly-fishing, riding his bike around Cherry Creek Reservoir (13 miles per day), playing golf, and caddying for his grandkids. Vernon took “extra time and care” to teach his grandsons how to fly fish so he would always have a fishing companion! Vernon also owned a small Piper Tri-Pacer airplane and loved to fly.

Vernon is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Evelyn Sessions; children: Steven (Deborah) Sessions of Centennial, Colorado and Melissa Jepperson of West Jordan, Utah; 6 grandchildren: Kade Sessions of Centennial, Colorado, Jacquelyn (Spencer) Neff of Lehi, Utah, Stephanie (Steven) Sizemore of Centennial, Colorado, Cassandra (Douglas) Williams of Denver, Colorado, Spencer Sessions of Denver, Colorado, and Aerika (Nick) Jeppson of West Jordan, Utah; 13 great-grandchildren: Jane (18), Paige (14), Austin (13), William (12), Henry (11), Ellie (9), Evelyn (9), Kate (7), Gordon(6), Vivian (4), Lucille (2), Lily (2), and Sylvie (11 months); and his sister, Eileen (Jack) Funk of Casper, Wyoming.

A viewing will be held from 10:15-10:45am on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4701 South Chambers Road, Aurora, CO 80015. Anyone who wishes to pay their respects to Vernon and the Sessions family are welcome to visit at that time.

The funeral service will follow at 11:00 am. Due to the limited seating available at the church per the ongoing pandemic, the service itself will be by invitation only. However, it will also be broadcast via livestream for all to join in celebrating Vernon’s life.

An outline of the Funeral service is shown at the bottom of this obituary. Please use this link at 11:00 on Wednesday to participate virtually: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85480745632?pwd=Y1RXOWNWZysyWi92QTZtaVRBcUlHQT09

A burial service will take place at 2:00pm on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at Olinger Highland Cemetery, 10201 Grant Street, Thornton, CO 80229. All who wish to are welcome to attend. Vernon will be laid to rest beside his late daughter, Sandra Jayne.

Memories of Vernon and condolences for his family may be shared on the adjoining Tribute Wall. Thank you!

FUNERAL SERVICE

Family Prayer before services - Stephanie Sizemore

Bishop Sandoval - Conducting

Don Moulton - Pianist

Judy Fillmore - Chorister

Opening Hymn - #27 Praise to the Man

Invocation - Aerika Jeppson

Life Sketch - Melissa Jepperson

Tributes - Jackie Neff and Kade Sessions

Musical Selection by Vernon’s Great Grandchildren “I Am a Child of God” & "Families Can Be Together Forever”

Tributes - Debbie Sessions and Steven Sessions

Concluding Remarks - Bishop Sandoval

Closing Hymn - #134 “I Believe in Christ”

Benediction - Cassandra Williams