Vernell "Verne" Dean Canfield

Vernell Dean “Verne” Canfield, 93, of Verona, Virginia, passed away on October 18, 2026, after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife, Frances Cline Canfield, his large and loving family, and many former players, colleagues, and friends whose lives he touched over decades of teaching, coaching, and service. Verne was born on June 18, 1933, in Mitchell, South Dakota. His family later relocated to southern California, where he grew up alongside his sisters, Eileen and Sharon. A strong student, an amateur cartoonist, and a determined basketball player, Verne pursued the sport even when his father discouraged it—famously climbing out of a bathroom window with his mother’s help so he could attend practices and games. He graduated from the University of California–Santa Barbara, where he played basketball and worked to pay his way through school. After college, Verne enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia, serving in the Honor Guard. He was among the soldiers who welcomed Queen Elizabeth II during her 1951 visit. While attending church in Arlington, he met Barbara “Bobbie” Hansbrough, whom he married that same year. Verne earned his master’s degree in counseling from George Washington University and went on to teach and coach the Tigers basketball team at Groveton High School in Alexandria, Virginia. In 1964, he answered a newspaper ad for the head basketball coaching position at Washington and Lee University in Lexington. He earned the job and moved his young family to Lexington, beginning a remarkable 31‑year coaching career. In 2010, he was inducted into the Washington and Lee University Athletics Hall of Fame. Known as one of the “winningest” Division III coaches in the nation, Coach Canfield was admired for his dedication, his disciplined teaching style, and his deep care for his players. Many of them went on to become coaches themselves, crediting Verne’s influence. He founded the Canfield Basketball Camps, which operated for more than 25 years and taught hundreds of boys and girls the fundamentals of the game. After retiring from W&L in 1995, he continued coaching at Grace Christian Church in Staunton. He remained close to many of his former players throughout his life, cherishing relationships that endured for decades. In 1989, Verne married Frances Cline Canfield. Together they built a beautiful life on a 120‑year‑old farm in Verona, where Verne enjoyed working in the yard, staying active with daily workouts, and taking beach trips with Fran. Their marriage brought together two families: the Canfields—Sheri, Ron, Lori, and Rob—and the Clines—Carl, Alley, Matt, Andy, and Jake. A devoted Christian throughout his life, Verne grounded himself in God’s Word. Through good times and hard ones, perfectly and imperfectly, he clung to his faith. He looked for quiet ways to serve others and shared his faith with humility and sincerity. Verne is survived by his wife, Frances Cline Canfield; his children Sheri Canfield Schoenebeck (Dennis) of Green Bay, WI; Ron Canfield (Dana) of Cross Junction, VA; Lori Canfield Glass (Jim) of Mechanicsville, VA; and Robert Canfield of Lexington, VA; and grandchildren Sydney, Austin, Dexter, Camden, Reid, Abby, Alex, Maddy, Addysun, and Asher. He is also survived by Fran’s children Carl Cline (Sharon), Alice Harlow (David), Matt Cline, Andy Cline (Penny), and Jason Cline (April); and grandchildren Adam, Emily, Whitney, Jarrett, Whitney, Chloe, Lexy, Hailey, Jake, Ava, and Cooper. He is survived by his sister Eileen Canfield of California and was predeceased by his sister Sharon Hamilton and his parents, Glen and Blanche Canfield. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Fairfield Cemetery, 5310 Lee Highway, Fairfield, Virginia. The family invites attendees to gather afterward for Verne’s favorite coffee and donuts at the Fairfield United Methodist Senior Center, 5622 Lee Highway, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Canfield Endowment at Washington & Lee University. For more information, please contact Coach Chris McHugh at mchughc@wlu.edu. Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of his arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net