Patrick Alan Vaughn

Our beloved and cherished dad, husband, brother, uncle, son-in-law, friend, and Jedi, Sergeant First Class Patrick Alan Vaughn, 54, of Aurora, CO, passed away on September 24, 2024, after his heroic and brave fight with brain cancer. Only the good words in the dictionary can describe Alan. The force will always be with him. 

Patrick, more affectionately known as Alan, was born on Labor Day, September 7, 1970, to Irene Loral Vaughn and Kenneth Robert Vaughn in Austin, TX, the baby of seven children. 

Alan graduated from Reagan High School in Austin, TX and joined the Army on August 1, 1990. 

As a descendant of the Sons of the Revolution, Alan loved his country, and his core identity was being a soldier to the end. He traveled the world with the military, purposefully jumped out of fully operational military air vehicles as a member of Army Airborne and Air Assault and was ambitious in taking every opportunity to rise in rank as fast as he could. He was awarded at least 21 commendations from the Army, and every review he received stated that he was an exceptional leader without reproach. He was previously stationed at Fort Hood, TX, Ft. Bragg, NC, Ft. Gordon, GA, and posts in Korea and Germany. 

At 6’4”, 250 lbs., he conquered Leukemia, a coma, a bone marrow transplant, and the loss of his legs. And, no, Veteran’s Administration (VA), they never grew back. He was in remission for close to 20 years, and all that time he had the courage to find humor through the challenges and continual pain and make those around him laugh with his infectious smile and quick wit. Phantom pains will no longer be a torment he has to valiantly endure. 

Alan had many interests and a brilliant mind that was always searching and learning. With several Bachelor’s Degrees, and a Third Degree of the Knights of Columbus, education was very important to him. He enjoyed technology and loved computers from the beginning of their invention (Commodore!), learning how to repair, rebuild, and help his fellow man out when systems crashed. He loved to run, listen to music on a daily basis, anything outer space including being a huge Star Wars fan, David Paulides, and the many mysteries and histories of life. He was committed to giving his pets the best life possible, and his kind heart just couldn’t stand to leave a kitty at the shelter on Christmas Eve. He thoroughly enjoyed inappropriate jokes, at which we could not help but laugh. He got a kick out of making people in packed elevators feel uncomfortable with the implication that a previous elevator accident caused his leg amputations. He was renowned for his love of desserts and ice cream. When he called desserts naughty, we knew it was really good. 

Alan was a devoted father who cherished his five children and stepson. His love for them was evident in his every action. He was always there, teaching his love of technology, cheering from the sidelines, helping with homework such as the infamous dioramas, and offering a shoulder on which to lean. He took immense pride in encouraging his children to pursue education and their passions, always reminding them nothing was beyond their reach. By his own example, he instilled in them the values of humor, loyalty, the power of resilience, to fight in the face of adversity, and that challenges were meant to be overcome with fortitude and grace. His unwavering support, wisdom, and love shaped his children into strong, talented, and compassionate individuals. His legacy of fatherhood will live on in the strength, laughter, and life lessons he gifted to his family.  

As a true warrior does, Alan protected, encouraged, supported, and, most importantly laughed with everyone who knew him. He taught his loved ones how to see the humor in daily life, and his quick wit was the source of so much hilarity. His force will always be with us. 

Patrick Alan Vaughn is survived by his wife, Julie Vaughn, his children, Paige Vaughn-Deshpande and son in-law Nikhil Deshpande, Allison Vaughn, Katie Vaughn, Simone Vaughn, Roan Vaughn, and step-son Keith Davis; his siblings Kay Williams, Ken Vaughn, Craig Vaughn, and their families; nephew Marcus Vaughn; The Lundell family; niece Amy Hursh-Lopez, along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and loved ones who knew him for the amazing man he was. He was preceded in death by his parents, Irene and Kenneth Vaughn, brothers Scott and David Vaughn, sister-in-law Terry Vaughn; nephew Daniel Vaughn; and his beloved animals, Carli, Chewbacca, and “Dog” (the cat) Vaughn. 

Earned his peace, he has.