Major Nelson James Vaughan, USAF (Ret), 80, of Coupeville, died at his home Jan. 19, 2003, following a lengthy illness.

Major Vaughan was born Jan. 27, 1922, in Olympia to Nelson N. Vaughan and Maifair (Holcomb) Vaughan. He was raised in Olympia, where he graduated from Olympia High School. He attended St. Martin’s College for one year, and then entered the National Guard before joining the Army-Air Corps during World War II. He also served during the Korean Conflict. Major Vaughan made a career of the Air Force, and was a navigator on B-52s. He retired with the rank of major in 1961.

Following his retirement, he was employed by Northrup Corporation and Bendix Corporation before becoming a logistics engineer for the U.S. Navy at Point Mugu, Calif. Nelson married Mary Campbell on Sept. 24, 1966, in Anaheim, Calif. They lived in the Philippines, Virginia and Camarillo, Calif., before coming to Coupeville in 1994.

He was an active member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Island County/WSU BeachWatchers and was an Admiralty Head Lighthouse volunteer.

Nelson is survived by his wife Mary at home; one son, Jason Campbell Vaughan and wife Kathy and daughter Angela of Oroville; by a previous marriage, he is also survived by two sons, James and Brian Vaughan, one daughter Carolyn Vaughan and four grandchildren, all of Costa Mesa, Calif. He was preceded in death by a sister, Suzanne Sigler.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, Jan. 23, at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Oak Harbor, Pastor Carol Harlacher officiating. Military honors will follow under the auspices of McChord Air Force Base Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to Friends of Home Health, P.O. Box 400, Coupeville, WA 98239. Arrangements and cremation under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.