William Thomas “Tom” Vernon ’71

William Thomas “Tom” Vernon ’71, of Columbia, S.C., went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Jan. 18. Born in Aiken, S.C., Tom was the son of the late William Edward Vernon. He was a graduate of Davidson and obtained a juris doctor degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1975. Tom was licensed to practice law in the states of South Carolina and Georgia and was admitted to practice before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. A tenacious litigator and tireless advocate for his clients, Tom was highly respected by both the bench and bar. Tom was a devout Christian and a faithful member of Trinity Cathedral for more than 25 years, where he served as the canon for administration on the staff of Trinity Cathedral and provided key leadership in the building of the Trinity Center for Mission and Ministry. During his early years at Trinity, Tom served as a youth ministry leader and within the cathedral’s outreach ministries. Most recently, he served as a Eucharistic minister to the sick and homebound, as well as within the Sunday morning worship services. Tom is survived by his former spouse, Vickie Cox Vernon; his stepsons, William Matthew Schrimpf and Robert Brian Schrimpf ’03, 731 S. Ott Rd., Columbia, SC 29205-4565; his aunt, Louise Hamby; and an uncle, Paul Vernon.