Dr. Vernon Baiamonte, 83, of Joplin, Mo passed away on Monday, June 26, 2017 at 11:45 pm at The Communities of Wildwood Ranch, surrounded by his family.

Vernon was born on April 29, 1934 in Ault, Colorado to Joseph and Virginia Baiamonte. He graduated from Ault High School and entered the United States Navy where he served on the ammunition ship Vesuvius during the Korean War. Following his time in the service, He attended Colorado State College and Indiana University, graduating with his Ph.D in Chemistry. He accepted a teaching position with Missouri Southern State College in 1968, soon after becoming the first department head for the college as the Head of the Physical Science Department where he led the department and taught Chemistry until his retirement in 1998.

He married Betty Sue Lindenmier on December 31, 1958 in Greeley, Colorado. He was a member of St Mary's Catholic Church. He and Betty were avid square dancers and enjoyed traveling for dancing events for many years until his health deteriorated.

He is survived by his wife Betty Baiamonte, his four daughters Donna (Don) Alford, Diamond, Mo.; Cathy (Stuart) Crawford, Joplin, Karen Warden, Carl Junction, Mo; and Rebecca (Jeremy) Morrissey, Joplin. Seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Frank Baiamonte, Webster, Tx; Susan Conklin, Arlington, Virginia; Jo Ann Eichinger, Lafayette, Colorado; Joey Baiamonte, Golden, Colorado and many nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday at Mason-Woodard Chapel. Pastor Tracy Rowe will officiate. Burial with Military Honors will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. The pallbearers will be Jeremy Alford, Chris Clutter, Zach Alford, Patrick Crawford, Christopher Crawford, and Brayden Thomas.

The visitation will be 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Mason-Woodard Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National MS Society.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the staff of The Communities of Wildwood Ranch and to Three Rivers Hospice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.

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