Vaughn Austin Burgess

Vaughn Burgess ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Funeral Alternatives of Washington - Tumwater on Mar. 9, 2026.Vaughn A Burgess, age 96Died Feb 18, 2026 in Olympia WA. Born Oct 13, 1929 in St. Clair, Minn to Jacob and Mayme (Corbin) Burgess, he joined the Army at age 16 in 1946 serving in Japan, Korea, Germany and France. He retired as Master Sergeant in 1968 at Fort Lewis, then worked for the State of Wash until 1981.Vaughn was previously married to Haruko Oda, and Soon Lee (both now deceased). He met and married Evelyn (Goldsby) in 1967 and their blended family included 10 children. They lived at Black Lake for many years, then Rochester until Evelyn's death in 2020.Vaughn and Evelyn traveled to Arizona for many years, also traveling across the USA and throughout the PNW. Vaughn enjoyed lapidary gemstone work, and raised hundreds of dahlias and lilies, making beautiful flower arrangements. He also enjoyed his extensive record collection, taking "goofy" photos, and painting.Vaughn is survived by sons Frank De La Cerna (Kelly), David Burgess (Keiko), James Carr (Kristen), and Arnold Wellman (Sharon); daughters Susan Burgess, Toni Bigelow, Janet Walter, and Nancy McAntosh (Todd); 18 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Maurice, Milton, Lowell, Mildred, and Evelyn; son James Burgess; daughter Mary Kim; and wife Evelyn.Private Interment will be at a later date.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.