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Goshen - Vernon Lee King was born on April 14, 1944 to Allen and Fanny (Yutzy) King, dairy farmers in Hutchinson, Kansas.

He learned the value of hard work at an early age, choring before the use of modern machinery.

From a one-room-school in Haven and high school at Hesston Academy in Kansas, Vernon went on to Goshen College in Indiana where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Social Work.

While working for Mennonite Central Committee in Cincinnati, Vernon met Shirley Sprunger, the love of his life. They were married in Covington, KY on June 13, 1969 and created a loving, supportive marriage - a true partnership.

In 1971, Vernon and Shirley moved to Atlanta where Vernon was a Voluntary Service unit leader and Shirley worked with music at the public library and a radio station.

They later served as country liaisons for Mennonite Central Committee in Haiti where son, Ethan was born.

After years of being supported by Shirley, Vernon followed Shirley to Newton, Kansas, where she began a 25 year career as Music Department Chair and organ instructor at Bethel College.

Vernon searched for a job that would allow him to care for two young sons and decided to build a family home. After its completion, he started Suntree Construction and designed and built four more homes in Newton.