Donald Ray Vian

Donald Ray Vian was born on 9/4/1935 to Norman Guy Vian and Grace Bertha Vian
Donald was the last of eleven children and he grew up on the family cattle ranch in Valentine Nebraska where he learned hard work and discipline that comes with ranching. He wanted to learn new things and at the age of 16 he moved to California and started high school at Montebello High. He had to support himself so he went to night school and worked during the day – he worked selling Hoover vacuum cleaners and he also worked for the rail road but along the way he met and became good friends with Bill Gire. Bill introduced him to his twin-sister Carol Ann Gire. "Ann" In the beginning Ann didn't want anything to do with him. But his romantic ways and unrelenting resolve ultimately won over her heart. They were married on 6/13/1954. Fifteen months later they welcomed the first of four children. Sons Mark Steven, Christopher Ray, David Scott and daughter Elizabeth Ann. Ann was the love of his life and they were married 69 years until her passing in January 2024.
Their first home was in Whitter, Ca. and then in 1964 they bought a new home in Diamond Bar Ca. Don had become a master tool maker making cutting tools called Broaches and soon after they started their company Vian Enterprises in the family garage. Broach making was the basis of Vian Enterprises and over the years his children worked for the company only to strike out on their own to form their own company which still resides in Auburn and is run by his sons Mark and Scott
In 1980, the family was looking for a new start, so they left Diamond Bar and moved north to Auburn Ca.
Don slowed down but continued to tinker and redeveloped a highly specialized product called a "Gerotor". This product is used in oil pumps for aerospace turbine engines. In time Vian Enterprise grew into a leading employer in Auburn and a worldwide leader in the aerospace industry. Don started his retirement plans in 2002 naming his son Chris Vian as CEO and Elizabeth Vian to CFO. A very short time later Don had a significant stroke leaving him without speech and paralyzed on his right side. But he refused to quit. He did physical therapy, and exercise three days a week for the next 20 years. There was only a handful of skipped days. Remarkably Don was able to regain his driver's license without speaking and with one arm and one leg! He only did it to prove he could do it and you should have seen the smile on his face that day!
Over the years Don, was nicknamed the "Tasmanian devil" because wherever he walked the dust would fly and people would move into action. Always the entrepreneur, he tried many different businesses, such as importing Shrimp from Mexico., machine tool sales, a dune buggy shop, and a Kiwi ranch on the family property.
Don Vian set a standard for how to be a good husband, a great father, and grandfather.
He is survived by his family - Mark and Pam – Chris and Laurel – Scott and Kristie and Elizabeth and his five grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
Services will be held November 2nd at Lassila Funeral Chapel in Auburn at 8:30 am with a private graveside burial.