Wilbur L. Vaughan

“Tiny”

March 30, 1940 – June 22, 2025

Wilbur Luellen Vaughan “Tiny” was born on March 30, 1940 in Grand Island, Nebraska to Dorothy and George Vaughan. He has 1 younger brother, Melvyn Vaughan and 1 younger sister, Kathryn Van Fossen, who predeceased him.

In 1958, he began to date Patricia Louise Cope as they met through the enjoyment of music. He played the guitar, steel guitar, and attempted the banjo throughout his years. On March 5, 1960, he married his wife, Patricia Louise Cope and they just celebrated 65 years of marriage. They had 3 daughters Tammy Lynn Steffen (married John Steffen), Debbie Ann Combs (married Dwyne Combs), and Connie Marie Schubauer (married Chris Schubauer).

In addition to being survived by his wife and 3 children, he was survived by 4 grandchildren: Tiffany Vaughan, Scott Rutherford, Katie Rutherford, and Shandie Schubauer; along with 4 great-grandchildren: Owen, Benny, Quinn and Graham Rutherford.

Tiny lived his life to the fullest each and every day. He enjoyed being with his family and friends. He enjoyed meeting new people in every aspect of his life from work, hobbies or just out and about.

Tiny began his career as a plumber following in the footsteps of his father and moved up to a master plumber for 60 years. He worked on various sites throughout the State of Colorado and would be able to tell you where and how it worked if you ever stumbled across one of the buildings. He was very proud of his career and his accomplishments.

Tiny enjoyed so many hobbies through out his years where he would exceed in everything he attempted. For many years, he studied Judo where he became an alternate for the Olympics. He continued to enjoy camping, hunting, and fishing traits that he grew up with and continued with his family. He enjoyed archery and trapping. His biggest accomplishment was when he was able to finally obtain his bear that was named Theodore.

Tiny was incredible with variety of crafts with intricate beadwork, wood working where he also created heirloom jewelry boxes for his wife, 3 daughters and 3 granddaughters. In the recent years he began making knives that he would create with precise details and had them engraved with “Knives by Tiny”. He also enjoyed racing cars for years (started as a teenager on Rooney Road), then moved to Bandimere Speedway. He also enjoyed other sports as bowling and square dancing.

Tiny did not have any regrets and lived life to the fullest!

Compassus Hospice:

https://www.compassus.com/hospice-angels/

American Heart Association:

https://pages.heart.org/honor-memorial-lp?s_src=25L521AEMG&s_subsrc=fy25_june_sem_google_american%20heart%20association_&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=honor-memorial&utm_source=sem+google&utm_content=sitelink&utm_term=american%20heart%20association&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A22418995163%3A177040978985%3A744584762565&nb_adtype=&nb_kwd=american%20heart%20association&nb_ti=kwd-363695726767&nb_mi=&nb_pc=&nb_pi=&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=e&adgroup=177040978985&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22418995163&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgvnCBhCqARIsADBLZoIwW8FTUEcSGvJs4SEwjXrexLq8EDgfEgr3KBUfdygSh7LQizn4Rh4aAv4nEALw_wcB