Vaughn Ensign Egan

BURLEY – Our loving father and grandfather, Vaughn Ensign Egan, passed away Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Burley, Idaho, at the age of 105 years and 9 months, with family by his side.

He was born October 6, 1920, in Burley, Idaho, to Douglas Ray Egan and Leona Beatrice Stocking. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Vaughn’s callings included scout leader, where he attended the Scout Jamboree at Farragut State Park; Sunday School president; Assistant Clerk; adult Sunday School teacher; home teacher; and he was an employment specialist into his 90s. He spear-headed a commercial bus that would transport church members to the Boise Idaho Temple on a regular basis. He regularly attended the temple. He was delighted to attend the ground-breaking of the Burley Idaho Temple.

Vaughn spent most of his life in Burley and graduated from Burley High School in 1938. After graduating, he and his brother, Blaine, moved to California to work at McDonnell Douglas. After moving over to Lockheed Aircraft Corporation he was able to build the fuselage of the second P-38 that was ever built. He was paid 50 cents an hour. After returning from California, Vaughn married his high school sweetheart, Beulah Hanks, in Burley, Idaho, October 6, 1942, on his 22nd birthday! Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple in 1945. Together, they were blessed with five children, and their greatest legacy lives on through the children they loved so deeply.

Vaughn served as a Corporal in the United States Army Air Corps from 1943-1946, 40th troop carrier squadron. Vaughn received the distinguished unit badge, American Theater Service Medal and an American Astatic Pacific Service Medal. He was a DGE expert. He was on an aircraft carrier headed to Japan when the armistice was signed. He served in Japan for a year to help with clean up and rebuilding. When returning to the states he was able to type up his own discharge papers and the service men that were on board.

After returning from WWII he worked on his father-in-law, Raymond Hanks’s farm, in the Starrh’s Ferry area. They started with horse and plow and then were able to purchase one of the first tractors in the Burley area. During the winter Winston Larsen, Blaine, and Vaughn worked at INL. He then bought his grandfather’s farm across the street and raised fryer chickens.

In 1955, the family moved to the Boise area where his mother helped him become a salesman for the Continental Life and Accident Insurance company. In 1963, the family moved back to Burley, and Vaughn sold group insurance to the Dairy Men in the Magic Valley area. Later, he worked as a ditch rider for the Burley Irrigation District and later became the Manager. He also was a property owner and manager for a number of homes in the Burley area. In his 70s he commuted to Nevada to do concrete work at construction sites. In his late 80s Vaughn was elected to serve on the Burley City Council. He loved researching information on the internet and finding ways to save the city money. He was instrumental in weed control in town and at the cemeteries.

Vaughn enjoyed years of golfing, bowling, snow skiing, international travel with his insurance company, and traveling to visit family. He was a member of the Elks Club and Lions Club. He also started transportation for the Disabled American Veterans in the Burley area and was a volunteer driver. He had a lifelong passion for fly-fishing in a donut float tube and tied flies. He found great joy spending time on the water. One of the highlights of his adventures was the trip of a lifetime to Alaska, where he fulfilled a dream of sockeye salmon fishing from the bank. He created memories that he treasured for years to come.

Several years after Beulah’s passing, Vaughn was 95 when he met Ernestine Belflower, from Georgia, online at ldsplanet.com. They met in person and were married in the Atlanta Georgia Temple. They were married for ten years. Ernestine preceded him in death.

Due to a cracked knee from a fall, Vaughn spent the last three years at Highland Estates Assisted Living where he made some great friends. His positive attitude, kindness, and sweet smile would light up the room! He would walk a lap inside the building each day!

Vaughn’s advice for living a long and full life: Exercise each day, take your vitamins, don’t smoke or drink, and stay social.

He is survived by his children, Vonetta Dunham, Gerald Egan (Alice Osterhout), Julene Ball (Carl), Darlene Hoedt (Jeff), and Kimberly Whitaker (Justin); former daughter-in-law, Marva Pickering; 19 grandkids; 48 great-grandchildren and one on the way; and five great-great- grandchildren and one on the way.

Vaughn was preceded in death by Beulah, his wife of 69 years; grandson, Brandon Dunham; son-in-law, Jack Dunham; daughter-in-law, Shannon Egan; parents, Douglas and Leona Egan; brothers, Blaine and Keith Egan; and sister, Evelyn Larsen.

Our family would like to express our deepest gratitude to Vaughn’s private caregivers who loved and cared for Vaughn. Your kindness, compassion, and unwavering support brought comfort and companionship not only to Vaughn but to all his family. We will always be grateful for the love and dignity you showed him. We’d like to thank the caregivers, staff, and residents of Highland Estates for their care, kindness, and inclusion.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 9, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Burley 3rd Ward, located at 2200 Oakley Avenue, in Burley, with Bishop John Preston officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley, where military rites will be presented by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Group.

Family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Thursday, preceding the funeral, at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Mission Fund.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/6ToYLu2_LCY.