Vernon Neil Girard, (93) passed away October 29, 2026.

Visitation will be held Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM CST (9:00 AM MST) at the Nara Visa Community Center Auditorium.

Services will be held Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 11:00 AM CST (10:00 AM MST) at Nara Visa Community Center Auditorium.

Final resting place, Nara Visa Cemetery.

He was born May 18, 1933, in Clayton, NM to Claud and Ivy Girard. Vernon grew up in Rosebud, NM and graduated from Clayton High School. After serving in the United States Army, he met Carol Rogers and they later married December 17, 1960, in Fortuna, California.

Vernon worked as a millwright at a sawmill plywood plant in Eureka, California for several years, then moved his family to Tucumcari, NM where he worked for the Tucumcari power plant that produced electricity for the city. In 1969, the Girard family settled in Nara Visa where Vernon drilled water wells. He was skilled in welding and doing mechanic work, and even built his brick home in Nara Visa.

Vernon was hardworking and dedicated to providing for his wife and 6 children. He was compassionate and often served others too. Many stranded travelers were fortunate to have Vernon come to their rescue.

Vernon is survived by his son Gary Girard, daughters: Brenda (Mike) Kitzmiller, Tammy (Marc) Walton, Valerie (Robin) Bennett, Judy (Andre) Okolowitz, and Nancy Girard, 31 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and nephews and nieces. (David Girard, Terre Girard, Donna Miller, Steve McAfee, and Farrell McAfee.) He was preceded in death by his sweet wife Carol, parents Claud and Ivy Girard, brothers Lloyd Girard and Cecil McAfee, and niece Elaine Quarles.