Obituary for Vaughn L. Blackburn
Vaughn L. Blackburn, 91, passed away Tuesday, October 19, 2021, accompanied by his family, at his home in rural Scottsbluff. Cremation has taken place at Bridgman Crematory. A graveside memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, November 12, 2021, at Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff with Tam Staman officiating. A lunch will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Legacy of the Plains Museum and Nebraska State High School Rodeo Association. Cards may be sent to Clara Blackburn, 240910 Eagle Road, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361. Online condolences may be left at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com.
Vaughn was born September 18, 1930, in Scottsbluff to H. E. “Red” and Marie (Collins) Blackburn. Red’s father Elmer homesteaded north of Mitchell in 1908. Vaughn farmed and fed cattle with his father. He had a sister, Doris (Steven) Sorok and three brothers, Donald (Audrey), Dean (Jean), and Gerald “Jerry”. Vaughn attended grade school at District 10 and Longfellow Schools, graduating from Scottsbluff High School in 1949.
In 1951, he was drafted into the service and was chosen by the recruiter to be a United States Marine. He served his time following boot camp at a Naval Supply Depot in Ogden, Utah, as a guard. Because of the death of his brother Jerry, he was given an honorable discharge on October 10, 1952, to return home to help his father harvest the crops.
On December 28, 1952, he married Clara Marie Kraft. They had three children, Cheryl Ann (Jerome R.) Waldbaum, Riggan L. (Virginia) Blackburn, and Jerry V. (Sheila) Blackburn; eight grandchildren, Amber Waldbaum, Sarah (Norman) DesRosiers, David (Miriam) Waldbaum, Cassidy Nixon, Chad (Hannah) Blackburn, Tash (Daniel) Fisher, Brady (Raley) Blackburn, and Sheridan Blackburn; nine great-grandchildren, Max Waldbaum, Navah and Senorah DesRosiers, Mosha Aryah, Molka Briendal, Yitzchak Dov “Isaac” Waldbaum, Labry Vaughn Blackburn, and Grace Elaine Blackburn, and Taylee Ann Fisher.
Vaughn was a farmer, owned and operated a livestock trucking business, and brokered cattle for others. He spent some of his younger years rodeoing and provided the time and means for his three children to do the same.
Vaughn spent a number of years as a member of the Scottsbluff County Fair Board, Rodeo Committee, he sponsored the Platte Valley High School Rodeo Club, and acted as a director of the Nebraska State High School Rodeo Association. He was a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge, and American Legion Post No. 124.
In his retirement he enjoyed traveling, pasture stewardship, golfing, playing gin rummy, and having coffee with his friends.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Clara Marie; three children and their spouses; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Jean Blackburn; several nieces; a nephew; and cousins.
Vaughn was born September 18, 1930, in Scottsbluff to H. E. “Red” and Marie (Collins) Blackburn. Red’s father Elmer homesteaded north of Mitchell in 1908. Vaughn farmed and fed cattle with his father. He had a sister, Doris (Steven) Sorok and three brothers, Donald (Audrey), Dean (Jean), and Gerald “Jerry”. Vaughn attended grade school at District 10 and Longfellow Schools, graduating from Scottsbluff High School in 1949.
In 1951, he was drafted into the service and was chosen by the recruiter to be a United States Marine. He served his time following boot camp at a Naval Supply Depot in Ogden, Utah, as a guard. Because of the death of his brother Jerry, he was given an honorable discharge on October 10, 1952, to return home to help his father harvest the crops.
On December 28, 1952, he married Clara Marie Kraft. They had three children, Cheryl Ann (Jerome R.) Waldbaum, Riggan L. (Virginia) Blackburn, and Jerry V. (Sheila) Blackburn; eight grandchildren, Amber Waldbaum, Sarah (Norman) DesRosiers, David (Miriam) Waldbaum, Cassidy Nixon, Chad (Hannah) Blackburn, Tash (Daniel) Fisher, Brady (Raley) Blackburn, and Sheridan Blackburn; nine great-grandchildren, Max Waldbaum, Navah and Senorah DesRosiers, Mosha Aryah, Molka Briendal, Yitzchak Dov “Isaac” Waldbaum, Labry Vaughn Blackburn, and Grace Elaine Blackburn, and Taylee Ann Fisher.
Vaughn was a farmer, owned and operated a livestock trucking business, and brokered cattle for others. He spent some of his younger years rodeoing and provided the time and means for his three children to do the same.
Vaughn spent a number of years as a member of the Scottsbluff County Fair Board, Rodeo Committee, he sponsored the Platte Valley High School Rodeo Club, and acted as a director of the Nebraska State High School Rodeo Association. He was a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge, and American Legion Post No. 124.
In his retirement he enjoyed traveling, pasture stewardship, golfing, playing gin rummy, and having coffee with his friends.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Clara Marie; three children and their spouses; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Jean Blackburn; several nieces; a nephew; and cousins.