Vaughn Barker

1923 - 2013

Vaughn H Barker 90, of Taylorsville and St. George, Utah, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2013 at his home in St. George. He was born to Abraham Barker and Elsie Harker Barker on September 5, 1923 in Taylorsville. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is survived by his wife Lauren.

Vaughn graduated from Granite High School and then attended the University of Utah. He was an outstanding athlete in high school playing both baseball and basketball. In the spring of 1943 he played on the Taylorsville Ward M Men basketball team that went on to win the "All Church" Championship and Vaughn was chosen as "All Church" center. In December of that year he was invited to play on the BYU basketball team. Because of World War II no regular season games were played. Instead the team traveled by train across country on a four game road trip. The highlight of the trip was playing at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Vaughn had a love for airplanes and in 1944 enlisted in the Air Force and was later stationed in Venosa, Italy during World War II.

After the war, Vaughn joined his father in the family farming and ranching business. He spent many hours on the tractor in the fields. However, he loved the game of golf, so in 1974 with his father's permission he developed part of their farmland into Fore Lakes Golf Course located in Taylorsville. Vaughn was an avid golfer and a long time member of Hidden Valley Country Club and won several club championships. He was also a member of Bloomington County Club in St. George. This past August, he was the honoree of the PGA UGA Utah Senior Open in Wendover, Nevada.

Vaughn was a soft spoken, gentle and generous person, never speaking an unkind word or using foul language. He was honest and truthful in all aspects of his life. He had a witty sense of humor often throwing a word or two into the conversation that would bring on a chuckle. Just like his father he had beautiful penmanship.

Vaughn married Lois Smith on June 21, 1948 in the Salt Lake Temple; later divorced. Survived by children, Susan Barker, Vaunalee (Seth) Fordham, Robyn (Thomas) Gray, Todd (Shauna) Barker, Bryan (Dianna) Barker, Nancy (Clarence) Fields, 18 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by grandson Jonathan Fordham and great-granddaughter Kylee Fordham.

He married Betty Jean Bess Asplund on November 12, 1966 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Preceded in death by Betty Jean and her son Brad Asplund. Survived by her daughter Pam (Gary) Harmer, daughter-in-law Norma Asplund, 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

He married Lauren Dee Bonas Wright on January 12, 2003 in Las Vegas, later solemnized in the St. George Temple. Survived by Lauren and her children Shelley Garvin, Colton Wright, Cassidy (Nicholas) Ashworth and 5 grandchildren.

Also survived by his cousin Dora (Rodney) Kamalu, who was raised as his sister.

The family extends grateful appreciation to the Southern Utah Home Care and Hospice team. Special thanks to Mani Guarda and the many team members who gave loving service to Vaughn.

Memorial services and interment took place at Redwood Memorial on December 19, 2013.