Vaughn Jackson Hamnett

Vaughn Jackson Hamnett

1931 – 2023

Our beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Vaughn Jackson Hamnett, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2023 at the age of 91 in Alpine, Utah, in the city where he was born and lived his entire life.

Vaughn was born November 11, 1931 to David Alma and Esther Lucilla Hamnett. He had 8 siblings who all predeceased him: Sheldon, Madge, James, Gwendolyn, Louise, Marjorie, Chelta, and Joyce. He married his sweetheart Jacqueline Barnhart from Lehi, Utah on February 8, 1951; later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on August 7, 1972. Jackie and Vaughn had three children: Aneta Brown (Conard Lee), LuAnn Harris (Ron), & Phil (Kristin). Together they had a loving marriage and their home was full of laughter and care for others. Jackie passed away on February 28, 1986 after years of chronic illness. Vaughn was a devoted husband and caregiver.

Vaughn spent his entire career working at Geneva Steel like many of his neighbors and friends. He was always a conscientious worker and was grateful for the job, though it was physically demanding labor. Vaughn was also a volunteer fireman, assistant ward clerk, and Cub Scout leader. He spent time at the welfare farm and helped with the construction of the red brick church in Alpine. As a member of the Lions Club in Alpine, in addition to raising funds to benefit he sight impaired, he participated in putting up Alpine’s first street signs and building the pavilions near the city hall and at the trailhead in Corner Canyon. He also helped remodel the basement of the DUP Museum, build an addition onto the fire station, and erect a monument at the cemetery honoring veterans. 

After Jackie’s death, LouCille Turner Carlisle of Alpine agreed to share her life with Vaughn and they married July 1, 1986 in the Jordan River Temple. She said she was taking care of him for Jackie, whom she knew well. In addition to his own grandchildren, Vaughn became a surrogate grandfather to the children of Scott, Bob, Cindy, Ted, Cathy, and Jack. At LouCille’s side, they hosted numerous church groups and family reunions every summer for over 20 years at the Carlisle Ranch in Freedom, Idaho. LouCille passed away on June 10, 2012, after which Vaughn lived on his own in his Alpine home and later at the River Meadows Senior Living Center in Alpine, where he passed away.

In addition to his three children and their spouses, Vaughn is survived by 12 grandchildren (one preceded him in death), and 30 great-grandchildren. He was well-known for his dry wit, kind ways, and his way of facing life with the attitude of “I got no complaints.” He will be sorely missed and will leave a hole in the heart of those who dearly loved him and knew him.

Funeral services for Vaughn will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023 at 11:00 am in the Mountainville Ward Chapel, located at 165 North 100 East, Alpine, Utah. Family and friends are invited to attend a viewing Friday morning from 9:30-10:30 am prior to services at the church. Interment will follow in the Alpine City Cemetery.

Vaughn’s children would like to acknowledge the wonderful staff members at River Meadows who took care of him during his last three years of his life for their kind care.