Vernon Hare, of Hollywood, MD, passed away on June 5, 2020 at the Charlotte Hall Veteran Home at the age of 100. Vernon, born on March 4, 1920, was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace Jefferson Hare and Addie Rholetter Hare. He was born in Madison, South Carolina. Vernon was the middle child and the oldest son of eleven children. He is also preceded in death by his sisters; Eva, Vinnie, Ivy, Carrie and Beulah and by his brothers; Clifton, Nelson, Bruner, Broadus, and Wallace Jr.

Vernon led a very simple life. He grew up on a farm and worked extremely hard alongside his father and siblings. Along with the jobs commonly associated with farming, his family grew cotton and he was also in the fields picking it. His farm equipment was a mule, not the fancy tractors of today. He worked hard all his life. He was always a kind man, who would lend a hand at any time to help a friend or family member. He spent some time in Minnesota doing a wide variety of jobs on a cattle ranch. The cold of Minnesota was not for him and he packed up, came home, and enlisted in the Army.

He entered the Army on January 31, 1940. While in the Army, he worked as a truck driver. He was stationed in Germany during World War II and drove a two and one-half ton truck in transporting military personnel, equipment and ammunition. He also made minor road repairs. He was appointed to Corporal, Service Company, Third Infantry on July 21, 1942. He had intended to make the Army a career, however, once the war ended, they were all sent home. He received an Honorable Discharge on October 16, 1945.
After returning home from the Army, he worked on the family farm until he heard of job openings at Pax River Naval Air Base. He headed to Maryland and took a job as a truck driver at the Pax River Naval Air Base. He received a Diploma from the American Technical Society in “Automobile, Maintenance, and Repair” on May 31, 1951. He received his certificate of Honorably Retiring on June 17, 1977.

After he left the base, he went to work for Potter Trucking in 1977 and continued with him for 11 years. During that time, he hauled logs from Waldorf, MD to Pennsylvania. In 1988, he began working for Ronnie Buckler, Buckler Trucking, again as a truck driver. He stayed with Buckler until he turned 80 years old in the year 2000 and finally retired!

After his discharge from the Army he returned to South Carolina and married Kathryn Mulky. They made their home in St. Mary’s County. He has one daughter Sheila (Jim) Presley of Virginia Beach, Virginia and 3 granddaughters, 3 great-grandchildren, and 3 great, great grandchildren. One great grandson preceded him in death.

He eventually settled in Hollywood and met and married Alberta Mattingly McGill, who also precedes him in death. With Alberta, he has 4 stepchildren; Clara Miedzinski of Great Mills, Bobby (Barbara) McGill of Hollywood, Tim McGill of Eden, North Carolina, and his stepson, Billy McGill, preceded him in death. He also is survived by 10 step-grandchildren, 23 step-great grandchildren, and 10 step-great-great grandchildren. One step-grandson preceded him in death.

Arrangements are being handled by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home. All services will be private. Interment will take place in the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD. Contributions may be made to the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, 29449 Charlotte Hall Road, Charlotte Hall, Maryland 20622.