Vernon Haddon

Vernon Haddon (May 28, 1927-November 29, 2006) served as President of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes from 1986-1990.

Vernon Louis Haddon was born May 28, 1927 and passed away on November 29, 2006.

His parents were John and Flonnie Haddon. He had one sister, Arvella; three brothers, John, Edwin and Alan Haddon; and one infant granddaughter Roya Farhang, who preceded him in death.

Haddon had fond memories of growing up in the Anadarko and Gracemont area. In 1945, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in World War II. After serving his country, he relocated to Los Angeles, Calif., where he met and married Mary Yoakum on July 27, 1955. They shared a life together for 35 years. He and his family enjoyed playful picnics in the mountains and the beaches in California.

He and his brother John owned a Shell service station in Fullerton, Calif. He also worked for the city of Los Angeles as a survey engineer. He continued his education and earned his master's degree at Pepperdine University.

Haddon was proud member of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes. After achieving his degree, he moved back to Anadarko to work for the Wichita people. He served as Vice-President of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes from 1978 to 1980 and also served as president from 1986 to 1990. He worked as a consultant for many other Oklahoma Tribes. Until his passing, he continued to serve on many boards and committees for the Wichita Tribe, the latest board being the Economic Development Committee.

He often reminisced about his Committee meetings. He was proud of the teamwork of the Committee along with the occasional "discussions." He also had many people he liked to tease (you know who you are). He never met a stranger, and he enjoyed visiting with everyone. If a question was asked and he didn't know the answer, he would find the information.

On March 25, 1992, he married Pam Larkin and moved to Tulsa, Okla. They enjoyed spending time traveling and working on projects together and also enjoyed the company of their dogs, Brownie and Bowser.

He is survived by his wife, Pam; one son, Vernon Haddon of Los Angeles, Calif.; three daughters, Louisa Riffel of Anadarko, Anna Haddon of Pasadena, Calif., and Rose Williams and her husband Don of Oklahoma City; one stepson and his wife, John and Katrina Young of Norman, Okla.; eight grandchildren: Emma, Alex Riffel and Amber (Riffel) Luke; Molly Williams; Shaud Farhang; Kaylee, Braden and Conner Young; and many nieces and nephews.

(Information from the 32^nd annual Wichita Annual Dance program in 2007)