1945-2025

Vertis O’Neal Storey, a forty-three year resident of Kaufman, Texas passed away peacefully on the morning of Wednesday, January 29, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. Vertis was born on July 20, 1945 in Galveston, Texas to parents Harold Creagh Storey and Mildred Evelyn O’Neal. His father worked for the Galveston Tribune before enlisting to serve in WWII and upon his father’s return in 1947 the family relocated to Houston where his dad worked for the Houston Post for the entirety of his career. This move allowed Vertis to meet a group of friends that would be lifelong brothers and meet the love of his life, his wife of fifty-eight years Mary Carolyn (Phillips) Storey. Vertis was a proud graduate of Milby High School, where he played varsity football. In 1973 he completed his psychology undergraduate work at the University of Houston while also serving as a research assistant. In 1975 he completed his graduate work at Stephen F. Austin. He served as the graduate assistant to the psychology department chair, ran the university psychology student clinic while also serving as a teaching assistant. While in graduate school Vertis completed 500 clinical hours at Rusk State Hospital and he knew he had found his life’s calling. Upon graduation he was hired as a staff psychologist at Terrell State Hospital where he would remain for the entirety of his career serving patients in many roles until his retirement in 2017. He was at the forefront of the implementation of the state hospital electronic medical record. As the state mental health system was improving through state and federal mandates through the late 1970’s and forward, Vertis was actively involved in developing new programming and serving as unit director to programs such as the Multiple Disabilities Unit, Transitional Living Unit, Career Village, and Extended Care Unit. He also served as program director to many other hospital treatment programs as well as many state committees and task forces. He ended the last portion of his career serving as Terrell State Hospital’s director of Quality Management. Every position he held he put his entire heart and soul into for the patients, for the staff members and for the families of Terrell State Hospital. After Vertis retired he served as a board member on the Terrell State Hospital Volunteer Services Council, a nonprofit that benefits patients, joined the Terrell Lions Club and began taking art classes at the local community college. He would recommend that everyone participate in each and never stop serving and never stop learning. A quote of his shared by a longtime co-worker sums Vertis up perfectly, “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good”. He and his wife Carolyn enjoyed travelling, spending time with family, and friends. They are active supporters of various community and social projects and health services. Vertis is survived by his wife Mary Carolyn Storey, daughter Alison Storey-Novak (husband Mark Novak), his grandchildren Vanessa Collins, Storey White (wife Destinae White), great grandchildren Kaitlyn Carpenter, Christopher Carpenter, and many cousins and other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his son Christopher Scott Storey, mother Mildred Evelyn O’Neal Storey, father Harold Creagh Storey, sister Marilyn Elaine Moorman, and brother in law John William Moorman.

A memorial service and celebration of his life will be at 10:30am, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 at Max Slayton Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Vertis’ heart for others, his family is suggesting donations to the Terrell State Hospital Volunteer Council at https:// www.paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/1808938 Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.maxslaytonfunerals.com.