It is with great sadness that the family of Everett Vernon Schlechty, 80, of Land O’ Lakes, FL announce his passing. Known to most everyone as Vernon or “Vern”, he passed on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at his home. Vernon was born February 20, 1939 in St. Helena, CA to the late Everett E. and Barbara E. Schlechty.
Vernon moved to Tampa, FL at the age of 7 and grew up in south Tampa. He attended Plant High School and in 1956 enlisted into the United States Marine Corps.
While serving in the Marine Corps, Vernon was awarded:
- Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award)
- Expert Badge, Pistol .45 Cal.
- Expert Badge, Rifle M-1, Cal. .30
Vernon also had the distinct honor of trying out and being awarded a position on the Marine Corps pistol and rifle team. Vernon was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps at the rank of Corporal in 1961.
Vernon joined the City of Tampa Police Department as a Police Officer from 1962 to 1971. He returned to the department in 1975 as the Firearms instructor and Range Master for the City of Tampa Police Department in their training division. While with the department, Vernon was instrumental in developing the department’s combat arms training programs to ensure each and every officer was fully qualified and prepared to use their firearm in the course of their duties. On September 25, 2009 Vernon retired from the City of Tampa. At the time of his retirement, Vernon was known to have held the honor of being the longest tenured employee with the City of Tampa Police Department. After retirement, Vernon continued to teach firearms training with both Hillsborough County and Pasco County’s academies until 2017. Over all those years, Vernon became well-known and well-respected as a firearms expert and combat arms trainer throughout law enforcement and the firearms community.
Vernon was a loving Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather. He was a hard working man with a big heart, always had a hand to offer and always had a story or two to share. Vernon was also a lifetime donor to OneBlood. His blood contributions totaled over 30 gallons of blood and blood platelets with more than 236 visits to their local locations and that “Big Red Bus”. Vernon’s impact on the Tampa Bay Area and to the Law Enforcement Community will be greatly missed.
Vernon is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Susan Schlechty; sister, MaryLou Yanson; brother, Donald Schlechty; his son, Michael V. Schlechty; and step-son, Trevor Lansford.
Vernon is survived by his four children, Ashley Schlechty, Amy Schlechty, Mark Schlechty (Julie), and Trenton Schlechty; his sister, Ruth E. DelCastillo (Henry Jr.); his grandchildren, Leann Lohi (Nickolai), Morgan Schlechty, Ember (E.J.) Schlechty, and Jakob Woody; his step-daughter, Shannon Presson (Greg); his step-grandchildren, Hannah and Grant Presson, Caden Lansford; and his beloved dog, Cooper.
The Memorial Service for Everett Vernon Schlechty will be held at the Idlewild Baptist Church (Worship Center) on Wednesday February 26, 2020 with visitation taking place at 10am and the service to follow at 11am. Following the memorial service, Vernon’s remains will be laid to rest with full military honors at 2pm at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL.
All are welcome to attend both the Memorial Service and the Funeral.
In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Everett Vernon Schlechty, may be made to OneBlood.
OneBlood, Inc.
Attn. John Murphy
8669 Commodity Circle
Orlando, FL 32819
Blood Donations would be appreciated also in his honor.
11 Comments
Our condolences to the Schlechty family. Vern was a great man who taught many of us how to handle handguns, rifles and shot guns. He was tough at the range, only because he cared. R.I.P. Vern you have certainly earned it!?
Condolences to Vern’s family. He was one of the Good Ones at TPD. There is no doubt in my mind that Vern’s training was a significant factor in my going home one night. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the service .
He was my ffriend
My sincere condolences to Mark and family. Vern was instrumental in setting up the firearm program, for Florida, State Probation & Parole Officers, in Hillsborough cty. It was an honor and privilege to have worked with him. He was a great man and a friend. I will miss him.
Vern wa my firearm instructor in my academy, several years later I was able to instruct with him. I enjoyed watching and learning from the master instructor. He impacted many lives. I will truly miss him. My condolences to his family.
Vern assisted in firearms instructing with our explorer post in Temple Terrace in early days along with TPD ‘s post. I was also able to instruct with him over numerous years with HCC academies. Now he is able to see all, much more than from the range tower. He will truly be missed.
I worked with Vern at the Tampa Police Department, he was an outstanding police officer. My sympathy to the family.
Vern was my firearms instructor in the Tampa Police Academy class 100. He was such a nice man. I remember him offering me extra help on the weekends with my shooting. Rest in peace Vern you leave a great legacy.
Vern was and will always be an Icon for law enforcement in Tampa and the surrounding area. His training and the legacy of training he left has saved many lives. My sincere condolences to his family and the law enforcement family. He will be missed.
Vern Schlechty qualified me on the Tampa Police Range when I was being trained for the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Auxiliary back in the early 1980’s. Vern was a great instructor. He was always calm and very professional in what he was doing. No one ever had any doubt that Vern was one of, if not the best, range instructor available anywhere. He knew how to make you feel confident and safe on the range..
I became a Range Instructor after a few years and had the privilege of occasionally working with Vern. It was a great, satisfying; exciting at times, experience to work with someone so talented and good at what He was doing. Vern was fun to work with. Vern was a gentleman and a great teacher.
I will keep him in my prayers.
Dad, it’s been 1 year today since you passed. It’s hard to believe how this time has gone by. So many things have happened since then. I can only imagine the conversations we would have had about the years events. I miss those conversations and your advice. I miss you dad. Love.
Add Condolence Message