Mr. Vernon Dale Putman Jr. was born the son of Vernon Dale Putman, Sr. and Sharon Jane (Byers) Putman on January 25, 1970 in Jonesboro, Arkansas and was promoted to glory on January 28, 2010 at his home in Union City at the age of 40 years.

He was united in marriage February 25, 1989 at Hardy, Arkansas to the former Polly Eakin.

He is survived by his wife, Polly Putman of Union City; his son, Clifford Putman of Union City; his step-daughter, Jennifer Owen and husband, Brett of Hendersonville, Tennessee; his parents, Vernon and Jane Putman Sr. of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; his sister, Sharlet Allen and husband, Mike of Thayer, Missouri; maternal grandmother, Iva Byers Billingsley of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; three nieces, Mikayla Allen, Jadyn Allen and Kristina Worrell; three nephews, Jordan Reed, Terry Worrell and Joseph Eakin; other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by an infant sister, Rebecca Lynn Putman; his paternal grandparents, J.D. and Pearlie Putman and maternal grandfather, Johnnie Byers, Sr.

Vernon was a professional tow boat captain and was known and respected as one of the best river pilots on the western rivers of the United States. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing his entire life. He was also an avid gun collector and motorcyclist and a supporter of Anchor House, Inc. in Union City. Vernon was a Christian and a member of Banks Baptist Church. "Punkin", as he was fondly called, will truly be missed by his family, his co-workers and his many friends.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at Carter Funeral Home Chapel on Thayer, Missouri. Burial will follow in Perry Cemetery in Hardy, Arkansas.

Edmaiston-Mosley Funeral Home 731-885-1033