LOREN GENE VAUGHN JR.

1956 - 2013

Loren Gene Vaughn Jr. passed away as a result of a brain aneurysm. He took his final breath in Seattle on October 7th 2013, at 8:20pm. His sons were at his side. Loren was 57 years old and had been living in Burlington for the last 5 years.

My dad was born on March 11th, 1956 in Sedro Woolley, WA to Loren Gene Vaughn and Helene Swanson. Dad attended Lucille Umbarger Elementary and graduated from Burlington Edison High School in 1974. Dad enjoyed Drama, Choir, and was a wrestler. He wrestled at 105 lbs. as a junior.

Dad was a late bloomer. Immediately after graduating he joined the United States Navy and was in Boot camp 5 days later. Dad was a Corpsman. He was honorably discharged in 1979. Dad never responded well to orders, or authority for that matter, so 4 years of service was more than enough time. Although it was 4 years he was very proud of. Dad did things his way. Once discharged, he moved home to Alger and attended Culinary Arts program at Bellingham Technical School. Soon thereafter Aunt Luanne (Dad's sister) introduced him to Mom (Debbie Hastings). The two of them began courting and before long they had a happy little family.

Dad spent most of the 1980's as a commercial fisherman in AK. He also worked at the Texaco refinery in Anacortes, with his father, and younger brother Ted "TJ" Vaughn. Not only did the two brothers work together at the refinery, they also doubled as bouncers at the then very lively night club/steak house Max Dales. Saturday and Sunday mornings were thrilling as Loren Michael and I listened to dad's glorious tales from the night before. Dad worked every possible trade we can think of. Along with the above mentioned, dad facilitated bible studies, was a volunteer fire fighter/EMT, cook, carpenter, truck driver, and welder (kinda), roofer, bus driver, gold prospector and everything in between. That said, we all know that Dad made his name playing music for Tony and Paul Pickering at Max Dales for close to 15 years. Dad made more friends, buddies, and pals than even he knew. He even broke a few hearts. As Dad used to say, "Nothing lasts forever". Eventually Max Dales calmed down a bit and Dad went to work full time for Skagit River Steel and Recycling where he had worked for the last 10 years. As most of you know, music was Dad's number one passion. Dad was most widely known for playing music. He never stopped making people dance, and he did so at various clubs and dives throughout Skagit County. Dad loved taking requests from the ladies. I'm sure some of you ladies reading this right now can relate. "Omg, Loren is your Dad? He always plays my song".

Those of us who knew Dad very well knew that Dad only cared about one thing. He wanted others to be happy. Dad was born with this special gift. Some of us have a way with words; others possess unrivaled passion. Dad wasn't religious but he was spiritual. If you asked him what he believed in he would respond with a kind of matter of fact demeanor. He would say, "When I do good, I feel good. When I do badly, I feel bad". Let's get back to his gift. We have all heard of the Golden Rule. Do onto others... As simple, logical, fool proof and scrupulous as we know this to be, Dad found a hole in that belief system. Dad believed that doing a good deed for karma, as a reward, was inherently corrupt and of ill intent. Even at a granular level. When Dad helped others he expected nothing in return ever. For Dad the payback was the smile. Dad didn't go to funerals because he somehow absorbed the hurt. Dad just wanted everyone to be ok. That is how Dad won in life, he just didn't know it. That was his gift. Dad's intentions of lending a helping hand were pure. Dad was the smartest, most selfless, strongest, toughest, mightiest man to ever grace this earth and he will always be remembered as such. When Loren Michael and I want a good cry or to reminisce we'll go through his collections of treasures or listen to Don McLean or Billy Joel, and it's all ok. We Love you Dad. Yes Dad is someplace else. "That's just the way it goes sometimes".

Loren G. Vaughn is survived by his sons Ashley Hastings, Loren Michael Vaughn, as well as his daughter Nichole Leanne. His father Loren Vaughn Sr. and mother Helene Swanson Vaughn Newbaker. His younger sister Luann Vaughn, and bigger younger brother Ted Vaughn. His aunt the legendary Francis Vaughn Scott, and his cousin Robert Scott, who taught Dad how to ride a motorcycle. Along with the Swanson and Stewart families that he loved so much.

Loren's remains will be cremated and spread on top of Alger Mountain by his closest family and friends.

A celebration of life has been tentatively scheduled to occur at Max Dales Steak and Chop house on November 9th. Loren Michael and I are busy working out the details so once final we will disclose. For information regarding the celebration please email me (Ashley Hastings) at AHASTINGS@ASHLEYHC.COM.