David Vaughan

1953 - 2021

David Vaughan

With sadness and grief, we wish to announce the passing of our father, David Jon Vaughan after a short stay at Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck.

David's parents, Ted and Iris Vaughan, welcomed him into their family Nov. 15, 1953 and he spent his childhood in Spokane, Washington. In April 1978, David married Kathy Mueller, and they began their family in November 1978, when David Jr. was born. Ashley joined their family in June 1983.

While working for a sewing machine company in Spokane, Washington, a gentleman brought in a sewing machine for repair from the orthotic and prosthetic technician program at a local college. That moment changed David's life. A career as an orthotic and prosthetic technician was a perfect fit with David's skills so he enrolled in the two-year program. He completed his internship at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda, California and was offered a permanent position there in 1989. Several months later, he was offered a position in the new Orthotic and Prosthetic Department for St. Alexius in Bismarck. The family moved to Bismarck in May 1990. He and Kathy divorced in 1997 but both remarried. He was employed by St. Alexius for many years while working part time for J & R Vacuum repairing sewing machines. At his passing, David was employed full time at J & R Vacuum.

David is survived by his son, David (and Traci) of Bismarck, his daughter and grandson, Ashley and Chance of Bismarck and his sister, Gail (and Jack) of Oceanside, Calif.

For 67 years, he navigated life the best he could through the many ups and downs. For the past 20 years, he was discouraged from spending time with David and Ashley so that is a sadness that will never go away for our family. No obituary except this one and no funeral so closure is difficult, if not impossible. We are, however, choosing not to focus on these negatives and want to have his life acknowledged and remembered.

His friends described him as patient, kind, caring, quiet, helpful and soft spoken with a huge heart. He was admired for his ability to improve people's lives with the orthotics and prosthetics he built. David was talented and devoted to his work and patients at GPRS.

He was also an animal lover. One of his favorite pets was an African Grey parrot named Joe who is still in the family at 30+ years old.

David's strongest skill? He could fix anything!! His favorite hobby was to find something broken and try to "bring it back to life." He was often seen driving his pickup around town full of items to "fix."

"Say not in grief he is no more, but in thankfulness that he was." Hebrew Proverb

Until we see you on the other side, may you rest in peace, David.

"The only Scars in Heaven,

They won't belong to me and you

There'll be no such thing as broken

And all the old will be made new

And the thought that makes me smile now

Even as the tears fall down

Is that the only Scars in Heaven

Are on the Hands that hold you now"

"Hallelujah, Hallelujah,

Hallelujah, for the Hands that hold you now.

(Scars in Heaven by Casting Crowns)