Richard W. Vaughan

Richard W. Vaughan, age 70, passed away in his home on July 31, 2023. He was surrounded by his wife of 52 years, children, and grandchildren.

Richard was born October 24, 1952 and grew up in Downey and McCammon, ID. He was the oldest of four children born to Elizabeth and Rich Vaughan. He loved his childhood in Downey and especially working on his grandad Dave Treasure’s ranch. Richard spent summers and many days of the school year at the ranch and this would prove to be a beloved experience that would shape his interests, skills, character, and values. He would also gain a love for animals, especially horses.

Richard enjoyed and excelled at sports. He especially loved baseball, basketball, track, football and skiing. He met and married his high school sweetheart, Chris Jones, in Marsh Valley. They moved to Ephraim, UT where Richard played football at Snow College and Chris had their firstborn son, Brad. Later, Richard joined the Air Force as a jet engine mechanic and they lived in Victorville, CA where he was stationed at George Air Force Base. They had two more daughters, Nicole and Natalie.

After joining the U.S. Air Force Reserves, Richard moved the family back to Marsh Valley where he worked for the State Highway Department as a surveyor and later at Thiokol as a mechanic on booster rockets. They lived in McCammon and Lava Hot Springs where their last son, Brent, was born. Richard started working for Ash Grove Cement as an operator/mechanic and would retire after 31 years.

Richard was an avid sportsman and a fierce competitor. He loved to hunt, fish, throw horseshoes, play pool, water ski, swing dance, train horses, golf, side by side trekking, and especially travel. He loved watching the Red Sox and finally fulfilled his dream of going to Fenway Park last year and watching them play the Yankees.

Richard also had a mechanical mind and could fix/diagnose most machines. He built his own home and ran two successful businesses doing upholstery and hanging garage doors.

Richard cherished his family and especially loved watching his grandkids excel in their various sports and fields of interest. After leaving the hospital with stage 4 cancer in January, his biggest highlight was watching his grandson’s teams win state titles for Marsh Valley High School and Pocatello High School in baseball.

Richard’s legacy is of loyalty to wife and family, and hard work. He was of the opinion that most, but not all of life’s problems could be solved with “putting in the work and not stopping until it’s finished.”

He is survived by: Wife Chris Vaughan, Father Rich Vaughan, Siblings Ron Vaughan (Jolene) Kathy Dahlke (John) and Rob Vaughan (Charlotte), four children Brad Vaughan (Melanie), Nicole Robinson (Rulon), Natalie McBride (Paul) and Brent Vaughan (Tamryn), fourteen grandchildren Andrew Vaughan (Chelsea), Kon Robinson (Karlee), Ashley Williams (Ethan), Maycie McBride, Reece Robinson, Abbie Sutton (Isaac), Bowen Robinson (Augusta), Ellie McBride, Alex Vaughan, Jayce Vaughan, Jess Robinson, Averie McBride, Kaylee Vaughan, and Cort Vaughan. He is preceded in death by his mother Elizabeth Vaughan and in-laws Sheldon and Faye Jones.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, August 7, 2023 at the LDS Church located at 437 West Spring Street, Lava Hot Springs, Idaho 83246.  A viewing will take place one hour prior.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73558210136?pwd=at1yR7JuExOqGhhkcXa02mEOGfDPvO.1

Meeting ID: 735 5821 0136

Passcode: W6CHsT

Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting the Tribute Wall tab above.