Vernon Lee Walker, 80, Harrisonville, MO, died Monday, August 22, 2011 at his home on the farm on Walker Road. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 25, 2011 at the United Methodist Church in Harrisonville. Friends may call from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 24, at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville. Burial will be in Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Harrisonville Public School Foundation, P.O. Box 1000, Harrisonville, MO 64701.

Vernon was born March 11, 1931 in Buffalo, MO, the son of James Buell and Bessie (Jones) Walker. He was a 1949 graduate of Harrisonville High School. Following high school, he joined the Naval Reserves and attended Finley Engineering School and the College of Commerce. After two years, he entered active duty with the Navy. Upon his return to Harrisonville, Vernon earned his real estate broker's license and began buying and selling property on the south side of Harrisonville where the current Trade Fair and Walker additions now stand. He married Barbara Kay Harvey on March 1, 1953 at the Methodist Church in Harrisonville.

He was also a farmer and cattle rancher who saw a need for a farm supply store and opened up Tractor Parts and Farm Supply in a small garage on South Commercial Street. That business grew and today is known as The Family Center in Mill-Walk Mall and includes seven additional locations throughout mid-Missouri, Kansas and Iowa.

In addition to his business life, Vernon was very active in the civic organizations of Harrisonville. He was the Commander of the VFW Post, a member and President of the Optimist club, President of the Missouri State Realtor's Association, and a member of the United Methodist Church. He served on the Harrisonville Cass R-IX School Board for ten years, including a term as President. During his tenure, the district built McEowen Elementary School, Harrisonville High School and the Vocational School. Vernon was inducted into the Harrisonville High School Distinguished Alumni Wall of Fame on June 18, 2009.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son, Vernon Kirk. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kay, of the home; four children, Joy Mills and her husband, Bill, Harrisonville, MO, Jil Durbin and her husband, Dave, Harrisonville, MO, Jef Walker and his wife, Raylene, Rolla, MO and Jay Walker and his wife, Dawn, Farmington, MO; one sister, Wanda Alexander, Appleton City, MO; seven grandchildren, Keith Mills, Blake Mills, Brandon Mayo, Tara Mayo, Karina Mayo, Shayla Black and Logan Walker; nine great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.