Vernon Gaskins Wolst, Jr. found himself by losing himself in causes for which he so passionately believed. This unique life began on September 7, 1935 i Raleigh, North Carolina. He was very fortunate to have two sets of parents. Vernon began his heavenly service when he succumbed from a sudden illness on august 22nd, 2011 at Northwest Hospital Center. His parents in Raleigh, Vernon Wolst, Sr. and Annie King Wolst, raised him from infancy in a loving and nurturing Christian home. At an early age in Raleigh he was baptized in the body of Christ where he attended church and sang on the choir. In his latter years his loving mother, Mary Lee York Jackson and step father, John E. Jackson were instrumental for his success and prominence in society. After graduating for Washington High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, Vernon enrolled and graduated from is now Morgan state University in 1957. He earn a bachelor's degree in music as well as a commission in the U.S. Army as a lieutenant. He was also a member of the Morgan varsity swim team. Vernon was employed by the community Action Agency and late the Urban Services Agency of Baltimore. Under these agencies he founded Project survival in 1967. As founder and director of Project Survival, an education, mentoring, and basketball program, Vernon worked diligently until his untimely death. His fund raising abilities and pursuits were numerous. To aid in soliciting funds for Project Survival he south endorsements for numerous notable individuals and corporations to help carry out this program. Born with natural music talents, he played the saxophones and was a vocal sensation. He was well respected by his peers and he emulated his idols Charlie Parker on sax and Arthur Prysock on vocals. Since playing music was part of his career, he played with and led numerous music groups namely; The big Blues Band, Vernon and the Blues Men, Vernon Wolst Quartet, and a member of the fizzy Kane Trio. These various groups provided entertainment pleasure to countless local, national and international audiences. Although Vernon was committed to public and community service, he also recognized that all his gifts came from a higher power. He was preceded in death by his son, Brian. Cherished memories of Vernon will sustain and keep his survivors; his thoughtful and loving wife Norma; a loving daughter, Norva Wolst-Countess; a loving son, Geoffrey Wolst; affectionate granddaughters; Tiffany Gilliam-Brown and Ahnieyah Wolst Porter; grandsons; Jared Countess, Raheem Wolst and Mati Baker; great grandsons; Kamerun Snell, Khristian Brown, Kaden Brown, and Jayvyn Countess; a sister-in-law Marilyn Brown William, Sr. of Phoenix Arizona; a sister-in-law, Hedi Patrick of Sacremento, California; a brother-in-law Ronald Roberts, Sr. of Georgia; nephews; Kevin Brown, William Brown, Jr., Ronald Roberts, Jr., Derrik Patrick, James Patrick, Jr., and a host of relatives and dear friends Thomas "Witt" Williams, Ethel Williams and Harry Payne.