Vaughn M. Paradise

Vaughn Merle Paradise, age 95, joined his beloved wife Lorna in Heaven on January 23, 2025 in Castle Rock, Colorado. Born on April 19, 1929, in Chugwater, Wyoming to Guy and Fern Paradise, he was the youngest of 6 children. Vaughn’s life was marked by his dedication to his wife and children, his service to God and his country, and his hard work as a carpenter in the construction industry.

Vaughn’s earliest years were spent on his family’s homestead in Wyoming and, later, various other locations in Nebraska and Wyoming. At age 10, he moved with his family to Empire, Oregon where his father and older brother worked in the lumber mills. He graduated from high school in June of 1948, and he joined the United States Air Force just 4 months later. During his time in service to his country, he was stationed in various places in Wyoming, California, and Alaska. His final station was in Sioux City, Iowa where he met Lorna May Sparr, the great love of his life.

Shortly after receiving his honorable discharge, Vaughn and Lorna married and moved to Oregon where he began working in the lumber industry. Their first two children, James and Vonda, were born during that time. In 1957, they relocated back to Lawton, Iowa, and in the following years four more sons, Blaine, Joe, Doug, and Matthew joined the family. And after their move to Denver, Colorado, baby sister Ladea was born. For most of his career, Vaughn worked as a master carpenter, with significant experience in every phase and aspect of home construction. Though his work was very hard, and often spent outdoors in harsh weather conditions, he always had the energy left to spend time with his wife and children, helping and supporting his kids in their school, Scouting, and sports activities. He, alongside our mother, made sure we attended church almost every Sunday, followed by happy times spent with our grandparents and cousins.

In his later years, Vaughn loved nothing more than being with his ever-growing family, enjoying cookouts and chicken noodle dinners with his children and their spouses, his grandchildren, and his great grandchildren. He was the best horseshoe tosser any of us have ever met, and he was a wonderful cribbage player who shared his love of the game with us all. But it was his great love for Lorna, his beloved wife of 72 years, that has inspired us all the most. She preceded him in death by 7 months, and her loss was hard for him to bear.

He leaves behind a loving family: children James Paradise (Patricia), Vonda Ulander (John), Blaine Paradise (Teresa), Joe Paradise (Nancy), Douglas Paradise (Karen), Matthew Paradise (Dana), and Ladea Dante (Vito); twenty grandchildren and twenty-five great grandchildren. Vaughn was preceded in death by his wife Lorna, his parents, and his siblings.

Funeral Services will be on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 11:30 am at Newcomer Funeral Home - West Metro Chapel, with viewing from 10:30 am until time of service. Vaughn will be laid to rest with full military honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado following the service.