Vaughn Albert Nelson

Vaughn Nelson passed away peacefully on October 23, 2022, in Bountiful, Utah.

Vaughn was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on December 29, 1925, to Albert and Zora Nelson.  He attended Granite High School and the University of Utah and resided in Bountiful, Utah for 60 years.

Raised in south Salt Lake, Vaughn lived a full, robust life.  In his early years during the Great Depression, he and his childhood friends had many and sometimes mischievous adventures.  He purchased his first car for $8 before he had a driver’s license.

This began a life-long love of automobiles that remained with him well into his nineties.  A fine mechanic, he restored over 15 antique and vintage cars and trucks.  His cars were shown in movies and driven in many local parades and other events.  He was an active member of several local and national vintage car clubs and traveled throughout the U.S. on vintage car tours.

After high school graduation in 1944, he was immediately drafted into the U.S. Navy.  After the conclusion of World War II, he remained in Japan with the U.S. occupational forces, helping to disembark returning Japanese submariners at Sasebo, Japan.

Shortly after returning from Japan, he met LaRue Bitter at the University of Utah, and they soon began a life-long marriage of 75 years.

Vaughn’s love of cars and trucks also led to his career as a mechanic and auto parts manager.  He worked for Hafer’s, Inc. Truck Parts and Service as parts manager for 29 years.

Vaughn loved dogs and always had at least one in his yard.

He had a fine baritone voice and often entertained his friends and family, sometimes with racy ditties from his childhood and Navy days.

He is survived by his wife, LaRue Nelson, sons Steve and Jim Nelson (Dianne), and daughter Mary Ann Cole (Larry), one grandchild and two great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, October 28, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Bountiful City Cemetery.