Vernon "Vern" Clayburn Autry, 72, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, died Wednesday, November 21, 2007, at his home. He was born August 22, 1935, in Mena, Arkansas, to Charles and Martha Turner Autry. He grew up in Mena, Arkansas, Oregon, California, and Idaho Falls.

He went to work for Union Pacific Railroad at the age of 14 because he lied about his age. He entered the Navy and served during the Korean War where he served for two years. He then returned and graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1954.

On February 14, 1958, he married JoAn McFate in Ucon, Idaho. Their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls L.D.S. Temple on October 29, 1994.

After high school, he went into construction work and worked mainly as a cement mason. He helped build many of the buildings in Idaho Falls and worked on all of the overpasses between Idaho Falls and Malad. He received a medical retirement in 1993 because of emphysema. He loved sports. He played baseball and football when he was a kid and basketball when he was in high school.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He was a great golfer and continued golfing until health prohibited him playing any longer.

He was a hardworking and honest person. He was survived by his wife, JoAn Autry, Idaho Falls; 2 sons, Clay Vern Autry, Idaho Falls, and Charles Jay Autry, Grantsville, Utah; one daughter, Debi Jo Stevenson, Murray, Utah; 5 granddaughters, Ashlee Boyer, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Rachel Autry, Grantsville, Utah, April Autry, Grantsville, Utah, Cami Autry, Ohio, Taylor Stevenson, Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Treighton Stevenson, Murray, Utah; 3 grandsons, Caleb Autry, West Jordan, Utah, Christopher Autry, Grantsville, Utah, and Levi Autry, Grantsville, Utah, and 6 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, James R. Autry, and one brother, Lloyd Daniel Autry.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, November 26, 2007, at the Kearney LDS 2nd Ward, 1860 Kearney. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be at the Ammon Cemetery. Military rites will be performed by the Bonneville Country Veterans Team and the Idaho Military Honor Guard. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.coltrinmortuary.com.