Vaughn R. West

Vaughn R. West, 80, of The Villages, Fla., died Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010, at his home.

The son of I.C. West and Jennie Quien, he was born on March 1, 1929, in Hettinger, N.D. He graduated from Libby High School and worked for the U.S. Forest Service.

After 21 years of service with the U.S. Army, he retired with the rank of major. He served as a helicopter pilot during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He worked for 19 years as a salesman of John Deere heavy construction equipment at Coastal Equipment Co., in Virginia Beach, Va.

He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 347 in Lady Lake, Fla., the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, the 2nd Engineer Combat Battalion Association, 4th Transportation Company, Korean War Veterans Alliance and the Old Aviators Association.

Mr. West enjoyed golf, travel and working on his home.

Survivors include his daughters, Holly West of Newport News, Va., and Tricia Firestone of Spokane, Wash.; and sons, Randall West of San Diego, Calif.; and Michael West of Spokane. Also among those mourning his passing are close family friends, Janice Van Houweling of Virginia Beach, Va., and Jack Atkins of Bozeman.

Funeral services were held Feb. 11 at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bozeman Public Library for the benefit of the Military History section, 626 E. Main St., Bozeman, MT 59715.