Vaughan Mason '66
“His warmth and humanity will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”
Vaughan was born in Los Angeles, California on March 27, 1943. His family moved to Bellevue, Washington in 1953. He graduated from Bellevue High School in the class of 1961, went on to attend Claremont College in California and, as a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, graduated from the University of Washington in 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.
Following college, Vaughan served 16 months in Vietnam as a Second Lieutenant in Army Intelligence as advisor to a South Vietnamese Major General. After returning from Vietnam he traveled through South America, Europe and behind the Iron Curtain for a year with an army buddy. Landing finally in New York City, he borrowed a suit and shoes from another army friend so he could interview at several different department stores, looking for the training he wanted in order to eventually join the family business, Casual Aire, in Bellevue, Washington. He selected Lord & Taylor, where he met his future wife, Lyn Hogen, whom he married a year later in June of 1971.
Vaughan and Lyn were married for almost 41 years. They spent a year, after their marriage, living in Munich, Germany, working at the Bogner clothing factory and traveling before settling down in the Northwest. They made their home in the Bellevue area and raised 3 children while he spent several years working with his father, Clyde Mason, at the Casual Aire women’s fine clothing store.
Among many charitable gifts to his community, Vaughan actively supported the Bellevue School District and Bellevue Rotary. In addition Vaughan was one of the founding members of the Casey Hawkes Memorial Award presented annually to a graduating senior at BHS who most resembles the fine character of an outstanding classmate who died in 1962. With his leadership, this 50 year old coveted award has recently become a National Foundation through Dollars for Scholars. For many years Vaughan was also active in the finance department of his church, Unity of Bellevue, and, along with Lyn, was a beloved member of a meditation group for 21 years. He was a long standing member of the board and past president of the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club.
In 1983 Vaughan became club manager of the new Bellevue Athletic Club. He successfully managed the club for 4 years and went on to manage the Seattle Harbor Club and the Seattle Yacht Club. Thereafter Vaughan sought a different line of work and, for the past 14 years, he was the Northwest regional distributor for WorkSafe Technologies out of California, as master distributor for six states. This company manufactures the leading seismic mitigation equipment that withstands the most powerful earthquakes, keeping businesses running and workers safe. Vaughan was passionate about this meaningful work.
Vaughan and Lyn traveled abroad extensively and especially enjoyed visiting their home away from home on Lake Chelan where the couple hosted family reunions and their condo on Kauai. His favorite pastimes included snow skiing, hunting, fishing, tennis, golf, waterskiing and, most importantly, playing with his eleven grandchildren. Vaughan’s love for Lyn and family inspired his every day, and his positive attitude, great patience, faith and generosity were at the core of his character and everything he did.
Vaughan’s spirit remains with us, teaching all who knew him to love and appreciate the joys of giving and receiving and the meaning of unconditional love.
Vaughan is survived by his wife, Lyn, his daughters Kristi (Jason) Knifong, Kim (Kris) Ritton, his son Ryan and Ryan’s fiancée Monica Rutt, his sisters Dianne Copper and Deb Thorlakson and his parents Ruth and Clyde. He was preceded in death by his grandson Mason Ritton and his brother Jim.
Remembrances may be made to the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club. A celebration of Vaughan’s life is being planned for Saturday May 19th at 1pm. It will take place at Seattle Unity Church, 200 Eighth Ave. N. Seattle WA, 98109.
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