Ernest Lee Verdin

Ernest (Ernie) Lee Verdin 78, passed away at his home in Pendleton, Or on August 12th, 2025.

Ernie was born in Washington DC on November 20th, 1946, to Robert Marvin Verdin and Edna Virginia Stroman.  He was raised and went to school in Mt Rainer, Maryland.  After his schooling he joined the Navy serving in both the Mediterranean Sea and Vietnam.

While in the Navy he met Jim Abel, who had a sister that caught Ernie’s eye, Miss Sharon Abel.  Sharon and Ernie were married on December 30th,1968 in Weott, CA.  In 1973 they moved to Pendleton, OR where they raised their family.

Ernie worked at various jobs in Pendleton until he found the Kmart on the hill and worked there from the day they opened in 1978 until the day they closed in 2002.  After the closure of Kmart, he went to work at Wildhorse as a Valet driver.  He then went on to Capeco, where he retired in 2022.

Ernie’s humor and the way he was friendly with anyone he met, will be greatly missed. 

Ernie is survived by his wife Sharon of 57 years.  Sister; Betty Wahl (Bill) of Ocala, Fl. And Brother; David Verdin (Joanne) of Colonial Beach, Va.  Son; Ernest (Anna) of Pilot Rock, Or Michael (Kim) of Athena, Or, and Gerald (Hildi) of Pendleton.  Daughters: Virginia Bryant (Gary), Diane Verdin and Ashlee Dacus all of Pendleton, 20 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and 3 more on the way.

He is proceeded in death by his brother Robert Marvin, son Robert Verdin and parents Robert and Edna Verdin.

A public celebration of life will be held at Community Park in Pendleton OR on Sept. 20th, 2025, at 1pm.  (The McKay Shelter by the tennis courts).  Private family gathering to follow.