Ed Vernarsky, 79
Ed Vernarsky, passed away at his home in Kalispell, on March 9, 2017.
He was born on Aug. 31, 1937, in Warren, Ohio, to Stephen and Helen Vernarsky.
He graduated high school from Warren G. Harding High in 1955.
After graduating, he joined the Air Force, and when the Air Force found out about his talent in music, he traveled to entertain the troops, just like Elvis. And that is where the band the Twilighters was formed.
He married Genniffer Applebee on May 4, 1963. He worked for United Telephone Service for 20 years. He fell in love with Montana on a family vacation so in February of 1981 he moved his family of six to Kalispell.
Ed worked a variety of jobs, such as installing poker machines and working at Radio Shack, while still playing the piano with different local bands, plus solo acts in various establishments for the last 35 years. He would even entertain the elderly in various retirement homes on the piano and on the accordion. After learning the accordion at age 8, he taught himself how to play the piano. During his music career in his life he had the privilege of backing Kathy Dee, Connie Smith, Don Rich and various other artists. He was asked to go play at the Grand Ole Opry, but chose to stay at home for his family instead of traveling.
Billy “Crash” Craddock once said “I would not want to follow that band” on one of the shows that Ed’s band appeared on. Ed’s Floyd Cramer sound attracted fans of all ages. He would play various styles of music from country to polka to classical to rock.
His hobbies, besides his passion for music, was hunting, fishing, camping, Boy Scouts, crosswords and cross stitch. He was an enthusiastic member of the Bald Eagle Club, volunteering his time to help raise money for charities.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his grandson Colter Bronson.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years Genniffer, son Ed Vernarsky and his wife Jeanie, their four children Dana, Andy, Julie and Jill; daughter Terri Bronson and husband Bill and their son Travis; son Ken Vernarsky and his wife Amy and their four children Alyson, Derek, Kendra and Steven; and daughter Patti Fleming and her husband Goose and their daughter Amber, six great-grandchildren, his sister Barb Holdgate and her daughter Kelly. Plus friends too numerous to mention that he considered family.
A celebration of life potluck is set for 2 p.m. April 29 at the Moose Lodge in Evergreen. Bring your musical instruments and let’s have a jam session for Ed.
“Can you imagine the jam session it’s going to be when all those musician friends that have gone on before him learn that he’s there!”