Vaughn Le Claire Cassingham

Vaughn Le Claire Cassingham, 91, born on December 6, 1923 in Redondo Beach, California, passed away July 31, 2015. Vaughn was the youngest son, and the sixth of seven children, born to William Owen Cassingham and Leila Mrytle Snyder. Vaughn attended Phineas Banning High School in Wilmington, California, and attended Harbor Junior College after returning from World War II.

At the age of 20, Vaughn was in the second wave of the Invasion of Normandy during World War II, landing on Omaha Beach with Company G, 23 Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division of the U.S. Army. Following the battle on Omaha Beach, Vaughn was a first scout for his squad and participated in intense battles in the Hedgerows of Normandy and the capture of Hill 192 in St. Lô, France. Vaughn received a purple heart for the disabling injuries he sustained on July 12, 1944, one day after the liberation of St. Lô.

Vaughn was married to Marie Wilmot for 54 years before her death in 2003, remaining a widower until his death. Vaughn and Marie raised four children together in Long Beach, California, before retiring and traveling the country. Over his life, Vaughn traveled to 49 states of the 50 United States, not quite making it to Alaska. Besides raising their children, Vaughn and Marie were active participants in the Shoreliners Square Dance Club during the 1960's and 1970's. Vaughn also enjoyed camping, long walks, jigsaw puzzles, and football. His greatest joys were his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and pets. Vaughn was a dedicated family man.

Vaughn is survived by his four children and their spouses (Charlene and Dennis Farrell, Yvaughn and Chuck Weaver, Charles Vaughn and Elaine Cassingham, Donna Robin and Van Goodwin); his eleven grandchildren and their spouses (Jeni and Matt Johnson, Jaime and Rick Berry, Jackie and Steve Smyth, Jodi and Jacob Van Valkenburg, Alison and Dennis DeSchaine, Andrea and William Galdámez, Kristen and Chad Roush, Karissa Goodwin and fiancé Bryan Fleming, Keith Goodwin and fiancée Jessica Lee, Timothy Farrell, and Michael Farrell); and his twelve great-grandchildren (Toby Johnson, Tylie Johnson, Samantha Smyth, Sage Smyth, Kent Van Valkenburg, Khloe Van Valkenbury, Kyle Van Valkenburg, Karly Van Valkenburg, Katelyn Roush, Sophia Roush, Shannon DeSchaine, Gaby Galdámez), with two more on the way.

Vaughn was preceded in death by his wife Marie Wilmot Cassingham, infant daughter Marion Loretta Cassingham, father William Owen Cassingham, step-mother Elda Gros LeGrange Cassingham, mother Leila Mrytle Snyder; sister Nellie Estelle Cassingham Ramsey, brother Billy Cassingham, infant sister Nina Leila Cassingham, sister Geraldine Cassingham Talkington, brother Harold Wayne Cassingham, sister Nila Vee Cassingham Moore, step-brother Marion LeGrange, and step-sister Lois Lorraine LeGrange.

He resided in Fountain Valley, California, from 2000 until the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn in Cypress, California.