Michael Lee Vaughn

Michael Lee Vaughn, 68, died Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015, on the road to Paradise.

Mike was born April 21, 1947, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Roy Lee Vaughn Jr. and Pamela Sivell Vaughn. Mike was preceded in death by his parents and survived by brother Craig (Paula) Vaughn of Farr West, Utah; sister Lynette Vaughn Conniff of Missoula; children, Heidi, Farah and Michael and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Mike joined the Army in January 1967 during the Vietnam War and attended Officer Training School. He was promoted to Captain in the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Wounded in combat, he received the Purple Heart along with many other medals. After an honorable discharge from the army, Mike continued his service as a Medical Technician at the VA Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he devoted 21 years of faithful service helping his patients and amusing his coworkers.

A collector at heart, his home was full of sentiments from the people he loved. He cherished his 1969 Chevy Van and enjoyed traveling with his beloved dog Max. In May of 2015 Mike purchased his Harley Davidson motorcycle and claimed it was the best thing he'd ever bought himself. He rode in style with his "hippie hair," his Oldies blaring and his bright shining smile. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Graveside services honoring and celebrating Mike's life will be held at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Aug. 28, at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made in his honor to the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center in Missoula or to purpleheart.org.
Read Michael Vaughn's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.