Vaughn L Thomas

Vaughn L Thomas

1930 ~ 2024

Early in the morning of June 15, 2024, Vaughn L Thomas, passed away peacefully, while holding the hand of his beloved wife, Connie May Larson Thomas. His 94 years were filled with discipleship, hard work, devotion to his wife and family, teaching and testifying of Jesus Christ, singing, building, and being in the great outdoors. Vaughn wrote, “My (life) has been far more formidable yet grandiose, than a quiet Sanpete County farm boy could have ever imagined or deserved.”

Vaughn Thomas, born on March 14, 1930, in Wales, Utah, was the second child and first son of Moroni and Mary Jane Thomas. His siblings included older sister Lula, and younger siblings Rhea, Richard, Alta, and Betty. Growing up on a rural Utah farm in the 1930’s helped Vaughn learn from his father the value of hard work. He fed the chickens, gathered eggs, kept the wood bin and coal buckets full, milked cows, cared for livestock and collected berries from the hills around Wales.

His mother inspired his lifelong love of music, teaching him to sing and play the piano at a young age. When he was seven years old, Vaughn sang a solo, “I Am a Mormon Boy” for a Stake Conference. The performance prompted the temple president to invite Vaughn to be baptized in the Manti temple when he turned eight years old. In later years, his clear tenor voice gave him leads in operas and solo opportunities. He participated in choirs and Quartet singing. He taught his children to sing harmonies and together with Connie put on musical programs throughout Utah, Idaho and California. In his later years, he was set apart as a musical missionary and sang seven years with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He said “life’s very zenith” was “when my wife and I prepared with our four children and their companions to sing in Wales, Great Britain for the Sesquicentennial of the Church in Wales.”

The mountains always called to Vaughn. He loved riding through the beautiful canyons on his horse while caring for the sheep and cattle. His mother playfully claimed he was born on a horse and he never disputed her, jesting in return that she was there when he was born! Vaughn possessed a unique ability to earn animals’ trust, taming even the wildest horses with his firm yet gentle touch. His favorite horse was a little filly named May, who received her name from Connie May Larson, a special girl that Vaughn met during high school.

A romance between Connie and Vaughn began and they were married on November 10,1949 in the Manti Utah Temple. Connie was easy to talk to and she liked to sing. Vaughn loved her light hearted and fun sense of humor. Together they determined that they would always pay their tithing, take their children to church, and teach their children to love the Lord.

They welcomed four children into their home: David, Michael, Marilyn and Kathryn. Family life was full of working, fishing, hunting, camping, scouting, singing, praying, and living life to its fullest. Together they taught their children to work hard, to serve willingly, to do good and to be good.

Vaughn embodied those principles, always giving more than was expected. He built mountain property fences for his first paid job, and after marriage, earned $150 a month managing the Wales Co-Op. While employed as an outside salesman with Strevell Patterson Hardware, Vaughn sold to a local dealer that said, “I am not a religious man but I feel that if I had ever known the Savior, Jesus Christ, I would find that Vaughn Thomas has his same qualities.”

In 1960, he and Connie made a life changing decision to have Vaughn continue his education. He earned an Associate’s degree from the College of Southern Utah. While working on a Bachelors and Master’s Degree from Utah State, he was hired part time to teach seminary at Richmond Jr High. This began a remarkable thirty-three-year career in the Church Educational System. Vaughn taught seminary and institute at SkyView High School, Sacramento State, Snow College, Orem High School and Mountain View High School. He was on the curriculum committee at the church office building. While working on his doctorate degree, he taught religion classes at Brigham Young University. He served as institute director at UVU and University of Hawaii and finished his career as an administrative assistant of the Salt Lake South area. Vaughn was a master teacher and a visionary administrator.

Vaughn served faithfully in many callings. He was a Bishop and cared for the members of his ward. He especially loved his time as a branch president at the Provo Missionary Training Center, and his years as a Scoutmaster for his sons. Together, he and Connie served two missions: one in the office of the Oklahoma City mission and another teaching English in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. They also loved his time as a visiting professor at BYU’s Jerusalem Center, where he helped bring the scriptures to life in the minds and hearts of students. In every place he went, Vaughn changed lives with doctrinal, spirit-filled teaching, always facilitating growth and creativity in those he led and taught. More than a man of degrees and accolades, Vaughn was a down-to-earth builder of people. He wrote in his history, “My heart has been filled with an overwhelming love and compassion for our Father’s children everywhere. I love them regardless of color, creed, or political persuasion. My only desire is to serve as the Lord would have me do.”

In his retired years, Vaughn spent countless hours teaching and mentoring his grandchildren. Many of them drove to his home to receive temple prep classes, and each Christmas he gathered the entire family to “Sing to the Savior ” as their gift to the Son of God. His curriculum also included the hokey pokey, fishing, respect for the American flag, and generous helpings of Haagen-daz ice cream bars. When he wasn’t working the pasture and garden in his coveralls and baseball cap, Vaughn was usually studying the scriptures (or the occasional Louis L’Amour book). His favorite room was the study where his grandchildren’s wedding photos hung. Vaughn left an apt summary of himself and his life in the last two songs that he sang: “I Love You Truly”, sung to “his Connie”, and “How Great Thou Art”, sung to his Savior. Vaughn’s legacy of faith, music, and dedication lives on in the hearts of his family, friends, and countless students.

Vaughn is predeceased by his parents Moroni and Mary Jane Thomas, his sisters Lula Irons (Kline), Rhea Campbell (Ronald, Norm), in laws Ruth Thomas, Mac Boyter, Patsy Cox (Woody), Dean Larson (Vonda), Bert Larson (LaJune), Don Barton, great grandchildren Elijah Jex, Hyrum Mace, Clara Mace.

Vaughn is survived by his wife Connie Larson Thomas, and their four children: David Thomas (Jeannine), Michael Thomas (Theresa), Marilyn Barry (Jim), and Kathryn Mace (Rourke), 33 grandchildren, 105 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He is also survived by his brother Richard Thomas, his sisters Alta Boyter and Betty Jensen (Roger), sisters-in-law Barbara Barton, Glenna Riddle (Charlie), and brother-in-law Paul Larson (Kathy).

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Dad’s Hospice nurse, Natalie Oustrich, and the staff at Covington Extended Care for their dedicated and consistent contributions to Vaughn’s care.

Funeral services will be Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse located at 6050 West Chapel Drive in Highland, Utah. There will be two visitations where family and friends may gather: Friday, June 21, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Warenski Funeral Home located at 1776 North 900 East, American Fork, Utah; and Saturday, June 22, 2024, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm located at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse at 6050 West Chapel Drive in Highland, Utah.

Interment is at Highland City Cemetery, 6200 West 11000 North, Highland, Utah.