Obituary of Vern Madrid Subia

  Vern Madrid Subia, who taught his family the power of positive thinking “you gotta believe,” passed away on February 4, 2019, in Caldwell, Idaho, at the age of 91.

  Vern was born in Big Spring, Texas, the fourth of twelve children. He grew up in Marsing, Idaho, and enlisted in the United States Army and Navy. He was a brick mason for many years and opened Vern’s Lounge in 1983. He built and remodeled rental properties for over 40 years, many with his son Mark – a legacy he wants the family to continue.

  Vern is survived by his wife Judy (they recently celebrated their 58^th anniversary) and their three children Steve (Martha), Debbie (Kevin Burke) and Mark Subia; his sons Craig and Greg Brasher (with his first wife Molly Panzeri); his sisters Sally, Mary, Betty, Julie and Jeanie, and his brother Rudy; and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

  Well-known for his prowess playing poker and clearing a pool table, not so well known for his mad Jacks-playing skills (yes, the kind with a bouncy ball and metal pieces he played with his daughter when she was young), he was fiercely competitive and good at everything he did. His ability to turn anything into a fun game was likely one of the reasons he was so popular with kids. It was no surprise when Vern placed his last bet for Super Bowl Sunday that he won.

  He was generous, proud, a good sport, dreamed big and believed you could accomplish anything with hard work and belief. He was humble and treated people the same, regardless of who they were. He and Judy loved watching LeBron play basketball, and he was an avid follower of politics.

  He adored – and was adored by – his granddaughters Andrea (Zach Thies), Melanie (Jared Stanger) and Kaitlin Subia (engaged to Pat Mejia) and never missed an opportunity to spoil them or attend their many volleyball games.

    He touched so many with quiet acts of kindness, and the Subia family has been very comforted by the many stories that people have shared of how generous and kind he was, and how he impacted their lives. We are also comforted imagining his parents Manuel and Maria, his brothers Robert, Joe, and Raymond and his sisters Connie and Angela who preceded him in death greeting him with open arms.

  His children want to thank our selfless mother, who was by dad’s side around-the-clock, enabling him to do all the things he wanted to do and always putting his needs first.

  Vern’s only request was to have a party for his patrons and friends, so please join us for a Celebration of Life at Vern’s Lounge on March 2, 2019 at 3:30 pm. The family will also receive family and friends at the Elks Lodge in Caldwell prior to the party from 1-3 pm.

  Condolences can be given at www.flahifffuneralchapel.com