Vernon Carrol Kite, 97, of Springfield, MO, passed away peacefully in his home on May 23, 2021. He was born in Prescott, KS, on March 19, 1924, to Lloyd and Florence (Sutherland) Kite.

Vernon grew up in the Prescott area with his three brothers, graduating from Prescott High School in 1942.  On March 23, 1944, Vernon married Ina Shafer, making their home in Prescott while Vernon served his country in the Army during WWII and the Korean War.  In 1952 the couple moved to Springfield, MO, where they raised their four children.  Upon coming to Springfield Vernon worked at Central Dodge before going to work for 27 years at City Utilities of Springfield as a mechanic/machinist, retiring in 1986.  During the years the couple made their home in the Rogersville, MO area and later Strafford, MO.  Upon retirement Vernon and Ina spent many hours as hospital volunteers while also traveling to Texas to spend their winters as snowbirds.  During many summers they enjoyed being camp hosts at Bennett Springs State Park.  The two of them were members of the Strafford Church of Christ before moving back to the Springfield area in their later years.  Vernon was a very proud Army veteran who enjoyed sharing with his family his experiences during his years of service.  He was a very devoted husband and father who loved his family, caring for his wife of 74 years even as her health was declining up until her passing in 2018.

Preceding Vernon in death were his loving wife, his parents, his brothers Robert and Milton Kite, and a son-in-law Chuck Maudlin.

Survivors include his brother Alfred Kite from the state of California, his children Nancy Maudlin from Tallahassee, FL, Vicki Hines from Springfield, MO, Chester Kite (Ruth Ann) from Rogersville, MO, and Suzanne Kite (David White) from Summerville, SC.  Survivors also include eight grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.

Family graveside services with full military honors will be held on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at the Springfield Missouri Veterans Cemetery with visitation in the chapel at Klinger-Cope Family Funeral Home at Rivermonte on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, from 6-8 p.m.  A heartfelt thanks goes out to Vernon's daughter, Vicki, and other family members and friends who made it possible for Vernon to stay in his home up until his passing.