Obituaries

The Celebration of Life will be held on July 20th. Visitation will be at 1:00 pm, Military Tribute 2:00 pm and then service continues at the Florence Nature Park (Gathering House), 7200 Nature Park Drive, Florence, KY 41042.

Vernon H (Honey) Mize was born March 25, 1924 in Birmingham Alabama to Lilly (Harwick) Mize and John Mize. He was the middle son; his brothers Robert Mize and Earl Mize predeceased him.

His favorite color was red – it had a dual meaning – red for the precious Blood of Jesus Christ his Lord and Savior and red for his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide “Roll Tide” football team – known as the Alabama man (yes - they were both from Birmingham Alabama).

He was a very loved husband of over 81 years to Ruth Wright Mize; a wonderful, loving Father to Vicki Mize Locke (John), Pam Mize Mendez (Juan), Kathy Mize Kuhn (Ken), Scott Vernon Mize (Jessica); a loved Grandfather to George Meyer, III (Maria), Becca Rodriquez (Johnny), Kenny Stewart (Laura), Anthony Mendez (Destiny), Taylor Kuhn (Clarisse), Brennen Kuhn, Genesis Mize, Ruthie Mize and a wonderful Great Grandfather to Luke Meyer, Joe Meyer, Hannah Meyer, Sophia Meyer, Cameron Owens, Eli Owens, Ephriam Williams, Lili Williams, Evie Williams, McKinley Stewart, Rueben Mendez, Isaiah Kuhn, Brooklyn Kuhn.

He was always bantering – if he wasn’t teasing you, you knew something was wrong. He loved people, softball, baseball, fishing and the Word of God. But he especially loved his wife (Mama) from the first date at 16 and for his whole life. They started out in the Coast Guard – World War II – he was a cook – several state’s later the war ended. Then off to Howard College where he played softball and baseball – wanted to stay in school to keep playing ball with Bobby Bowden – managed to get his accounting degree. He loved being the regional manager in food service for Delta Air Lines in ATL - where they added 3 girls to the family – then Interstate Host in Detroit where he managed the food service kitchen for multiple airlines – Orlando – then they landed in Gainesville where they lived for 50+ years – added a son to the family – he owned several businesses – Ponderosa Steak House and a wholesale sandwich shop (supplying 7-11’s +) – worked various jobs many times more than one but his favorite was the Blood Bank (red again) – a 25 galloneer (gave 25 gallons of his blood) – he loved setting up blood drives and talking to people. Five years ago they joined their girls in Kentucky – they lived with Kathy & Ken in Florence (what an honor/privilege) – here he won the stump man and mulch man awards for keeping the grounds - after all if you don’t work you don’t eat – right?

Please send stories and photos to Kathy at klkkuhn@gmail.com she may include them at his Celebration of Life.