Sing Low, Fly High
By Katie Mittelstadt
Portrait of Vernon post-retirement, Dignity Memorial.
Vernon during a rehearsal for his role in Pagliacci. “MAY 12 1976; Track and Field Coach Vernon Skari Rehearses Role In ‘Pagliacci,’ Arapahoe High teacher has been proclaimed ‘one of the most impressive baritones,’” Denver Post, via Getty Images.
Vernon Edwin Skari
June 2, 1927 - April 18, 2020
It was June 2, 1927, when Albert and Laura Skari, two farmers from Arnegard Township, North Dakota, welcomed their twins into the world. One of these children was Vernon Edwin Skari. Vernon and his twin sister Verna were the youngest of Albert and Laura’s ten children, all of whom were raised on the family farm and ranch in North Dakota.[1] Located in the northwest corner of North Dakota, Arnegard Township was founded in 1906, and was therefore a small and developing agricultural town when Vernon was a child.[2] While growing up on the farm, Vernon took on a variety of tasks such as herding cattle, plowing the land, harvesting crops, and milking cows. Along with his stellar work ethic on the family farm, Vernon displayed a deeply gifted singing voice at a young age, with one of his neighbors having fond memories of listening to Vernon sing from a distance. In fact, many who knew him as a child were highly impressed with his singing talents. One of his childhood friends recalled such memories at Vernon’s 90th birthday party, explaining that the first time he heard Vernon’s voice in church, he “was amazed” that “this deep voice came out of this little body.”[3]
Not only was Vernon blessed with a terrific voice, but he was also a gifted athlete. During his limited free time, he enjoyed playing football with his friends and riding horses on the farm. Fascinated by aircraft, he earned his pilot's license at the age of 16! After graduating from high school in North Dakota, Vernon, like many other young individuals during the Second World War, enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. Following enlistment, he was stationed in the Pacific Theater in Tokyo, Japan, where he served as a Corporal with the United States Occupation Army.[4] The specific dates of Vernon’s military service are unknown, but he likely served between 1945 and 1952 when the U.S. military was attempting to demilitarize, reconstruct, and democratize Japan after the official end of World War II.[5]
While serving in Tokyo, Vernon continued his active lifestyle, studying the art of judo. He was the second American to have studied and competed at the martial arts institution “Kōdōkan” located in Tokyo, eventually earning his brown belt.
After his dedicated military service, Vernon attended and earned his bachelor’s degree at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. He was likely assisted by the G.I. Bill, which was introduced after WWII and provided veterans with a variety of benefits, including financial aid for higher education. While attending Concordia College, Vernon further pursued his wide range of talents, earning varsity letters for four years of playing football and three years of competing in track. His football prowess was outstanding and at one point, he was scouted by the Minnesota Vikings. Unfortunately, his stature was too small for playing professional football.
His singing career, however, flourished during his university years, and he was the first non-music major chosen to sing at Concordia College’s graduation ceremony. Vernon continued his studies at the prestigious Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, earning a master’s degree in education and history.[6]
Vernon and Cynthia married in 1979, and shortly after, they welcomed their three children – Patricia, David, and Daniel – into the family. Vernon’s teaching and coaching career began at Breck High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he also coached various sports teams, eventually being inducted into their hall of fame. He was then hired by Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colorado, to teach History, Social Studies, and Psychology as well as coach the wrestling, football, and track teams. While at Arapahoe High School, Vernon coached several All-State teams and All-American wrestlers. After an extremely successful teaching and coaching career Vernon retired in September of 1992 at the age of 65. Passionate about his career and wishing to spend time with students, he continued to substitute teach well into his 80s.[7] Vernon was known as an “extremely talented teacher” who had “the biggest influence” on his students.
Vernon also became an accomplished singer after his retirement. He sang at numerous events, including weddings, funerals, and sports games. He also began an opera career as a Verdi baritone during which he performed over 20 roles, including John the Baptist in Jerome Hines’ opera I am The Way. His opera career was covered in the Denver Post countless times with articles stating, “he has one of the most impressive baritones we have heard in Denver” and “his voice is a voice of great power, richness and sonority…” who “...projects great authority and dynamic brilliance.”[8]
Not only was Vernon able to rekindle his love for singing after retirement, but he also renewed his pilot's license, flying his Cessna 172 out of Denver, allowing him to pick up his passion for planes and flying again.[9] Vernon’s accomplished, earnest, and honorable life ended on his passing on April 18, 2020. Vernon lived his life to the fullest and had a positive influence on the many lives he touched.
Footnotes ↓
[1] “Vernon Edwin Skari,” Dignity Memorial, 2020, accessed August 23, 2025, https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/centennial-co/vernon-skari-9142965.
[2] “Arnegard ND History | Interesting Facts,” Arnegardnd.com, 2025, accessed August 23, 2025, https://www.arnegardnd.com/arnegard-history.
[3] “Vernon Edwin Skari,” Dignity Memorial, 2020.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Dan Olmsted, “Did the US Army Occupy Japan after World War II? | the National WWII Museum | New Orleans,” The National WWII Museum | New Orleans, October 22, 2018, accessed August 23, 2025, https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/did-us-army-occupy-japan-after-world-war-ii; Office of the Historian, “Occupation and Reconstruction of Japan, 1945–52,” Office of the Historian (United States Department of State, 2019), accessed August 23, 2025, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/japan-reconstruction.
[6] “Vernon Edwin Skari,” Dignity Memorial, 2020.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] “Vernon Edwin Skari,” Dignity Memorial, 2020.
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