Vernon Otto Markworth
Aug. 10, 1942 Nov. 4, 2025
Vernon Markworth passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at his home in Boerne, Texas. He was 83 years old. He is survived by many loving family members, including his beloved wife of nearly 53 years, Susan; their two children, Scott Markworth (Angie) and Kelly Murray; four grandchildren, Amanda Spengler (Josh), Conor Murray, Riley Murray, Kenzie Murray, and four great-grandchildren, Rhiannon, Sterling, Noa, and Killian, along with his siblings Pat Michalski, Robert Markworth (LeeAnn), Janice Horness and Joan Head (Randy). He was preceded in death by both of his parents, Maurice Markworth and Gladys Johnson.
Vernon was born in Story City, Iowa, on Aug. 10, 1942. His father’s Army service led them to move often during his childhood, even taking the family overseas to Germany when Vernon was 11 years old. Those years in Germany, and the proximity to the Autobahn, may have ignited an interest in motorcycles and what would become a lifelong passion for racing and riding.
After returning to the U.S., they settled in San Antonio, where Vernon graduated from Edison High School in 1960. He then moved slightly further north to Austin, where he attended the University of Texas and participated in the ROTC program. He graduated as a second lieutenant in 1965 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
He deferred his military service for one year in favor of his degree, moving up to the Pacific Northwest to work for Boeing in Seattle, Washinton. However, the U.S. Army had different plans for him, and he was called up for service.
He completed training at Fort Eustis in Virginia and deployed to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, with the 565th Transportation Company, a unit within the U.S. Army Transportation Corps, specializing in the movement of personnel, equipment and supplies. As a stevedore officer, Vernon played a critical role in logistical planning and convoy operations during Operation Rolling Thunder, ensuring that frontline units received vital resources.
After returning home from Vietnam and concluding his military service, Vernon sought to return to his job at Boeing in Seattle. But a slow response from the company led him to accept a position at Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) in San Antonio as a Program Manager in the Engine and Vehicle Research Division, working primarily on diesel engines to ensure they met EPA regulations. Harkening back to his time overseas, he loved working with international clients and learning about their cultures and customs. He retired in 2000 after 32 years with SWRI.
A man of inspiring loyalty and longevity, Vernon had three great commitments in his life. The first was his family -- his wife, Susan, whom he met in April 1971 at NIOSA while working at the Ham and Honey Biscuits booth that day, he was no doubt “bordering on terrific” his kids, Scott and Kelly, and their families, and his extended family, church family, and the Boerne community.
The second was racing. One of his and Susan’s favorite pastimes was riding cross-country with friends. He did motocross, enduros and adventure riding from the time he was in his 20s until he had to give up riding at the age of 82.
The third was service. He served on the Board of Directors at the SWRI Credit Union for 30 years. He volunteered as an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Counselor and Local Coordinator for the Boerne area and spent hundreds of hours recruiting volunteer tax counselors, coordinating training and certification, and ensuring that this critical service was available to area residents and free for those who needed it most. Tim Handren, Mayor of the city of Boerne, even proclaimed April 15, 2021, as Vernon Markworth Day.
Vernon must have made a special allowance for this, since one of his most-used one-liners was, “I can’t tell you my real name, I’m in Witness Protection.”
Anyone who knew Vernon Markworth knew and loved his dry sense of humor. And when you saw him, he would often preempt the usual hello with, “You don’t call, you don’t write, you don’t send flowers” in his signature sing-song cadence.
To honor Vernon’s memory, the family asks that you still don’t send those flowers but rather make a donation to the Trail Preservation Alliance (TPA), St. Peter School at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church of Boerne, or any charity of your choice.
Funeral services will be held at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Visitation is at 9:30 a.m., Rosary is at 10:30 a.m. and Mass is at 11 a.m. Following the service, lunch will be served in the Cana Ballroom. The internment will be held at Boerne Cemetery at 3 p.m.
Services entrusted to Ebensberger Fisher Funeral Home. To leave a condolence for the family please visit www.ebensberger- fisher.com.
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