Vernon Lee Lusk

Vernon Lee Lusk, 85, of Broken Arrow, OK passed away on September 7, 2025. Born on August 12, 1940, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Vernon grew up in a musical family. His mother played trumpet, sang, and played the piano beautifully, while his father mastered many stringed instruments, including the mandolin. The family often traveled to churches to share their music and even performed on radio shows. His sisters, Shirley and Joan, sang and played, while Vernon and his brother, Paul, enjoyed the travel and the music. While Vernon just wanted to ride his bike and play sports, his mom made him take piano lessons for years, which he would later appreciate. Effortlessly, he learned the trombone and he had one rival at Central high school in Tulsa and later at the University of Tulsa that he would always battle for first chair–Woody (Terry) Woodson, who went on to play for Rosemary Clooney, the Tonight Show and more. Vernon’s upbringing nurtured an immense love for music, which he treasured up until his final breaths. He always had a playlist of the Gaithers and other favorite bands singing his favorite hymns.

Vernon grew up an ornery little boy, always playing jokes on his siblings (Paul, Shirley, and Joan), while also being competitive and adventurous. He loved playing sports and played baseball and then softball up through adulthood. When he could no longer play as competitively as he liked, he decided to become team manager and coach for the family team, “Family Matters”, which included his adult children, wife, other family members and close family friends. He even made family members “try out” by timing them as they ran the bases. Thankfully for the family, there were no “cuts” to the team. He loved fishing and the outdoors and spent his entire life doing that. In fact, he dug out a pond and stocked it with fish over 25 years ago so that he could enjoy the hobby every day.

Vernon loved traveling, especially to places where he could enjoy nature. His favorite destinations were national parks, including Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain, the Grand Canyon, and the Smoky Mountains.

Vernon worked extremely hard as a store manager and, later after the kids were all grown, as business owner with his wife at “Yvonne’s Monograms and Embroidery”. While the love of his life, Yvonne, stayed home with their four young children, Vernon would work sometimes 80 hours per week to provide for the family. Yet, he would still find time to play games and be silly with the kids, review Bible verse memorization with his children or toss a football or baseball with them in the yard during his free time.

Vernon was a man of faith. To know Vernon was to encounter someone who truly believed that nothing was impossible with God. Throughout his life, he witnessed the miraculous–moments of divine healing, provision, and answered prayers that could only be explained by the hand of God. But more than signs and wonders, it was his daily walk of faith, trust, and obedience that inspired everyone who crossed his path. He was a devoted prayer warrior who deeply valued the fellowship of his “prayer group.” Many of these men became his closest loyal friends and they visited him regularly, even in his last days. In the later years of his life, when he faced many health challenges, he wanted his group of brothers in faith (“his guys”) to be notified as quickly as anyone else. He truly believed in the power of prayer and lived out that belief as an example to his family.

Vernon leaves behind a legacy of faith in action. He is survived by his siblings, Paul Lusk, Shirley House, and Joan Eytcheson; his children, Chris Lusk, Dawn Myers, Joy Creamer (and husband Rick), Heather Walters (and husband Drew), Jason Lusk (and wife Emily), Jeremy Lusk (and wife Brandy), and Holly Andersen (and husband Ryan); 19 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Yvonne, and his parents Mildred and Leonard Lusk.

Though we grieve his absence, we rejoice in knowing that he now beholds the face of Jesus, the One he loved above all. As 2 Timothy 4:7 proclaims, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matt 25:21)

A celebration of Vernon’s life will be held on October 10, 2025 at 10am at Arrow Heights Baptist Church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, where Vernon attended faithfully since 1989. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Arrow Heights Baptist Church Missions Fund in his memory, continuing the work he so passionately supported.

Mail donations to Arrow Heights Baptist Church P.O. Box 3520 Broken Arrow, OK 74013 (you may put “In Memory of Vernon Lusk–Missions”). Or you may give on the church app or website.