Obituary of Oley Vermillion

Oley Franklin Vermillion Jr., 83, of Florence, passed away Saturday, March 26. A memorial service will be held at St. Michaels Catholic Church, in St. Florian, at a later date to be announced. Burial will be at Mountain Home National Cemetery in Johnson City, TN. Oley was born in Winchester, KY. Predeceased by his father Oley F. Vermillion Sr., mother Nancy Vermillion, sisters Marie Brandon, Nancy Morgan, and brother Edward F. Vermillion Sr. Oley lived in Florence, AL since 2005, and had previously been a long time resident of Satellite Beach, FL. He was a graduate of Rollins College, Winter Park FL. Oley served in the USAF as a SSGT tail-gunner during the Korean War, and after in the 329th Bombardment Squadron (SAC). Oley retired as Chief of Safety, with Lockheed Martin at Cape Canaveral AFS, FL. He was a parishioner of St. Michaels Catholic Church, St. Florian AL. Oley was well travelled, having worked in Europe, Africa and Middle East. He travelled to South Africa, Central America and South America for leisure. He spoke five languages. Oley was a licensed pilot and flight instructor for private and commercial aircraft. His hobbies were building experimental aircraft, sailing, gardening, and fishing. Survivors are his loving wife of 58 years, Marilyn Vermillion, his son John Franklin Vermillion, (Patricia), and 4 grandchildren, Emily, Elizabeth, Max and Evelyn, sisters Nora Keller and Dorothy Vermillion, sister in law Shirley Parrish, brother in law Jon Rietveld, nieces and nephews: Edward F. Vermillion Jr. (Cindy), Lee Edgerly (Richard), Richard Keller, Steven Keller, Debra Keller, Mike Sodrel, Billy Wasserman (Joy), Sandy Grindle (Mick), Suzie Johnson (Max), David Parrish (Alie), Extended family in Scotland, Bill Sturgeon, Kate Sturgeon, Lisa Maxwell (Steven), Laura Hogg (Chris), William Sturgeon. The family would like to express a special thank you to his caregivers Ana Lopes, and her daughter Carlee Pereira. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Hospice of the Shoals in Florence, AL. Greenhill Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.