VERNON FAULKNER

 The following bio was taken from page 197 of the book entitled “Rusk County History” compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Shirley Koym

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

 Vernon, the youngest son of Morgan David Faulkner and Julia Velma Brooks Faulkner, was born in Rusk County, Texas, April 18, 1931.  His mother died when he was ten years old.  She left five children, including a two-year-old daughter, Marian.  Other brothers and sisters were:  Virginia Helen, Elsie Hays, and Euel Mays.

 Vernon graduated from Henderson High School and Business College in Tyler, Texas.  During the Korean War he joined the U. S. Air Force and was stationed in San Antonio for four years.

 In 1952 he married June Green, the daughter of Clyde and Lois Green of the neighboring community of New Prospect.  Vernon worked as an electronics repairman upon their return to Henderson.  Later he joined Texas Eastman Company in Longview.

 Two children were born to June and Vernon:  Mary Julie (December 24, 1959) and Susan Elaine (May 18, 1962).  Julie married Rickey Thrasher, who is a descendant of Thomas Ballenger, who helped organize the New Prospect Baptist Church in the 1850’s.

 In 1965 June’s father carried them to a nearby estate sale of antiques.  It was an event that changed the course of their heretofore-typical Rusk County lives!  They became so interested in antiques that when the youngest daughter started to school, June opened a small antique shop.  For several years before opening the shop, every spare moment was spent searching for and researching antiques.

 Vernon found his quiet, orderly life completely upside down!  Often he came home to find a monstrosity in his garage.  Likely as not, it had been purchased at a garage sale by June.  Once he found chairs stacked to the ceiling of the garage.  June’s greeting was, “Don’t get worried!  You have only forty-four more to pick up at the Randolph Hotel.  They are going out of business.”

 This was only a preview of things to come.  Out of self-defense, Vernon soon became a topnotch wood worker and clock repairman.

 Their first shop, built on Highway 64 near the Traffic Circle in Henderson, was only 1200 square feet; however, it was doubled within two years and then enlarged to house 7000 square feet of floor space in 1974.  A warehouse of 3000 square feet was added later.

 Antiques became increasingly hard to obtain, so in 1976 June went to England in search of a better market.  In spite of her being a country girl who had never flown before, she had a successful trip.  The truckload of antiques purchased on the trip was only the first of many more to come.  June and Vernon have gone to England to purchase antiques at least twice a year since then.  It is a good example of a hobby growing into an exciting and profitable business.

 Julie and Susan are also collectors of antiques.  They have both been on buying trips with their parents.  Julie has gone into the antique business, and Susan has chosen the banking profession.

 Submitted by June Green Faulkner