Vernon R. Sandusky

Vernon R. Sandusky, longtime singer, songwriter and professional musician, of Altamont died at 12:45, a.m., Saturday, January 25, 2020 at his home at the age of 80. He had been in failing health.

Vernon was born on June 30, 1939 in Earlham, Iowa to Pernal and Mildred (Cottle) Sandusky.  It was there that his talent was first discovered.   At the age of two he won a talent contest.  Future president, Ronald Regan was the master of ceremonies for the event.  In 1947, Vernon and his family moved to Mound Valley, Kansas where he grew up.  At the age of fifteen, he won the AFL/CIO Kansas State talent search contest. The prize was a trip to Hollywood.  Vernon traveled the state of Kansas preforming throughout his high school years.  He graduated from Labette County Community High School at Altamont in 1956.  He then attended Coffeyville Junior College.

Vernon's life was music. His career began in the mid 1950's, Vernon sang and played lead guitar for the band, Bobby Poe and the Poe Kats.  They later became the backup band for Rockabilly Hall of Fame Artist, Wanda Jackson.  In the early 1960's, he moved to the Washington D.C. area and was lead guitarist and lead vocalist for The Chartbusters.  The Chartbusters, a British Invasion era band, had several hit singles.  They band played numerous gigs with popular stars of the time including; The Animals, Chuck Berry, Johnny Rivers, Jan and Dean, The Beach Boys and many others.  In 1969, he joined Rodney Lay and the Wild West.  For the next twenty-seven years, he and Rodney played the music behind some of the most talented stars of the time, including Freddie Fender and Jody Miller.  In 1976, Vernon and Rodney became the "sound" behind country music star, Roy Clark.  This combination lasted over twenty years.  The group played everywhere from the Neewollah celebrations in Independence, Kansas, to the music halls in Russia.  300 shows a year was common for the group.  Their performances included an appearance on the "Tonight Show with Johnny Carson".  Not only was Vernon a gifted musician but he also produced the music for Roy Clark and Rodney Lay. In addition, Vernon was a cast member on television's "Hee Haw" for 15 years.   He performed for several years at the "Roy Clark Theater" in Branson.  He also accompanied Mr. Clark during a Grammy Award winning performance on "Austin City Limits".  Following the closing of the "Roy Clark Theater", he was a performer at the "Grand Grove Opry" in Grove, Oklahoma.  Most recently, he played bass guitar in the Gospel quartet, Redemption's Call, performing mainly in the southeast Kansas area.   Mr. Sandusky was inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame twice.  He was honored for his talents as being part of Bobby Poe and the Poe Kats and also for Lifetime Achievement.  He is also a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.  He was the co-founder and vice-president of Major Label Records with partner David Webb.

He later owned and operated a carpet cleaning service, working until the age of 78.

Vernon was a member of the Western Way Cowboy Church in rural Altamont. He also enjoyed coyote hunting, carpentry, and playing cards.

Vernon and Barbara Carlson were married in November of 1957. They later divorced.  He and Judi (Tilcock) McCartney were married on November 2, 1970 and later divorced.  On October 29, 2001, he and Norma A. (Colgin) Mustain were married, she survives of the home.

Survivors –

Wife Norma Sandusky – Home

Two Sons – Curtis Sandusky and his wife, Leslie, of Edna, KS

Casey Sandusky of Edna, KS

Three Daughters – Debbie Heberlein and her husband, Mark, of Villa Ridge MO

Denise Hill and her husband, David, of rural Angola, KS

Amy Jones and her husband, Chad, of Edna, KS

Three Step-sons- Chad Mustain and his wife, Lela, of rural Parsons

Kevin Mustain and his wife, Misti, of Parsons

Jeremy Mustain and his fiance, Sarah, of Parsons

One Step-Daughter – Kayla Roberts and her husband, Clayton, of Parsons

Twenty-five grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.

Two Brothers – Johnny Sandusky and his wife, Ellen, of Altamont, KS

Ronnie Sandusky and his wife, Janet, of Coffeyville, KS

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Arthur and Burl, two sisters, Rita Meeks and Donnabelle Neal, and four grandchildren, Chance, Destiny, Creed, and Jessica.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 30, 2020 at the Western Way Cowboy Church near Altamont. Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at the church.

Memorial donations are suggested to the Western Way Church or the St. Jude's Children's Hospital. These may be left at or mailed to the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, Kansas 67357.