HAINES CITY, Florida - Mr. Vernon Walter Fairbanks, Jr. of Haines City died Wednesday, October 25, 2006 in Winter Haven. He was 85.

Born to Vernon Walter Fairbanks, Sr. and Esther Garn Fairbanks on July 19, 1921 in Lewiston, Utah, he moved here in 1983 from West Hurley, New York. He was Corporate Personnel Manager with F. L. Russel Corporation for eleven years, he was a Sergeant in the United States Army during WWII, he was a Pearl Harbor survivor, awarded the Purple Heart, a member of the Masonic Lodge # 219 of Haines City, a 32nd° Scottish Rite, Valley of Tampa, Florida and a member of the Disabled American Veterans. He attended United Presbyterian Church in Quincy, Massachsetts and First Presbyterian Church in Haines City.

Mr. Fairbanks is survived by his wife, Bernice; sons, Vernon W. Fairbanks, III of Winter Haven and David K. Fairbanks and wife Barbara of Polk City; daughter, Judith Davidson of Haines City; sister, Lois Butler of Kingsland, Texas; several nephews, nieces and cousins.

Memorial Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at First Presbyterian Church in Haines City. Reverend Tom Christian will officiate. Final Resting Place will be Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida.