Marion Vaughn Williamson's Obituary
~ Our Dad ~
It was a sunny morning in Stockton, California on August 14, 1925 when my father was born into a wonderful family who lived on a ranch in Madera, California. The birds were singing and the family was filled with pride and so much joy in their hearts.
On September 23, 2018 during the early morning hours, our Heavenly Father called our Dad home. It was another beautiful day in Tacoma, Washington where our Dad had lived the last 69 years of his life. But on this day, there was no laughter. We stood paralyzed with grief and disbelief as tears flowed from our eyes.
There is so much to say about our Dad. He was an honorable man who always supported his family. His work ethic was unmatched. You could not hold him down in bed no matter how sick he may be.
Our Dad was known throughout Tacoma and other nearby locations through his association with the Operating Engineers Union #612 since 1953. Our Dad and his partner, Gerard Ruvo (his father-in-law) laid down miles of sewer lines, water mains and bulldozed many areas for various purposes. Every time we drive past The Tacoma Mall we can still see the bulldozer held by heavy cables while Dad moved the dirt up and down the slopes for landscaping.
Our Dad also worked together with our Mother, Dorothy, after working all day as a laborer and then after hours as an owner/operator of The Hob Nob Café, The Pine Cone Café and finally The Tacoma Bar & Grill that they partnered with daughter, Deanie.
Our Dad was a hardworking man who expected perfection in everything he was involved with. You knew he had a hand in a project by his mark of perfection. He left huge footprints everywhere, especially in Tacoma, Washington.
Our Dad loved life and really was not ready to leave us quite yet. 93 years was simply not enough time, but he was grateful for another day. He felt like a young man living in an old, worn out body. This greatly frustrated him. There was still so much more he wanted to do. He had accomplished a lot during these 93 years including earning 4 medals for his honorable service in the military during WWII.
Throughout his entire life he sought fun and adventure. He continued to take his spur of the moment “solo car trips” until he was 91. While we were all so worried he would not make it back home, he would always say: “not to worry – see you at 5 for dinner.” 5 p.m. was the magic hour. Often his solo trips lasted a week or longer. He loved to drive along the coast taking in all the views of nature and, of course, every casino along the way. These trips always ended in Madera, California at the ranch he was raised on. He loved to gamble: playing card games, betting on the ponies and KENO. He was quite good at winning. After finally retiring, his new “job” was earning an income from KENO especially at the Emerald Queen. Eventually the Emerald Queen took that game out! No KENO, no Vaughn. So on to Red Wind, Muckleshoot, Seven Feathers, Little Creek and Lucky Eagle.
Our Dad made a few friends during his lifetime that he always cherished especially Little Willy, his service buddy, and high school classmate Ray Pool of Madera, California. I bet he is talking to them all now in Heaven.
Those Dad has left behind remember him as a quiet, hardworking man, intelligent, loyal, faithful family man, honorable, inspirational, fun-loving, a gambler, cranky, picky and just plain ornery. No, he was not nice all the time, but he woke up every day singing a song and admiring the hummingbirds outside his kitchen window. His doctors described him as a “tough man” and smiled saying they liked him a lot; and hoped someday they would be just like him. Dinner out with our Dad anywhere was a nightmare. Nobody cooked right or ran the place right. But we smile when we think of him. He was definitely “one of a kind” and truly loved.
This obituary is purposely long because our Dad thought it was important to recognize every person’s life. He read them faithfully to show respect to everyone.
Our Dad leaves behind his two daughters, Donna and Deanie, son-in-law Gary Alexander (daughters Kerry and Kristin), numerous nieces and nephews, his sister Teddilu Neu of Napa, California, and pal Little Girl who he called “dog.”
He joins in Heaven his wife of 59 years, Dorothy, his only grandchild, Taylor Ferris, brother-in-law Gerard Ruvo, Jr, brothers Bob and Bud, and too many family members to name here. Yes, it's pretty lonely down here. No matter where he was or where he may be now, he can be picked out of a crowd easily by the white bucket hat and Members Only jacket he wore daily no matter what the weather was. I bet he has insisted on wearing the white bucket hat and his Members Only jacket over the white robe he has been issued.
There are many more memories to share. The hundreds of hilarious stories of events during his lifetime that made us laugh so hard we cried. We truly believe he has had a band of angels at his side during his lifetime here on Earth and certainly now in Heaven. He was never alone.
We want to give a heartfelt thank you to GOD first and also to his team of amazing doctors who made it possible for our Dad to live to the max to his very end. All of you are miracle workers. Thank you for giving us more time with our Dad.
~ WE MISS YOU DAD ~
In lieu of funeral services, all are invited to our Dad’s home on October 20, noon to 4pm, to share memories and honor his life. Contact Deanie ([email protected]) or Donna ([email protected]) for details
What’s your fondest memory of Marion?
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Describe a day with Marion you’ll never forget.
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