DULUTH, Ga. — Vernon E. Carne, the founder of Georgia Federal Credit Union, passed away Oct. 6 at the age of 87.

Carne founded the credit union in 1958 as the Dekalb County Teachers Federal Credit Union. He encouraged six other Dekalb educators to pledge $5 each to form a charter with NCUA. Carne served on GFCU's board of directors as an active volunteer in the capacity of either president or treasurer for 40 years until his retirement in 1998. Today, the $400 million credit union serves more than 81,000 members, 365 select employee groups and has 14 branches.

Upon his retirement and as a tribute to his leadership, Georgia FCU established a scholarship fund in Carne's name. The Vernon E. Carne Scholarship is given in his honor each year. Since its inception, the credit union has awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors.