Vaughn Zenko Sr.

Vaughn Zenko Sr., 79, passed away on March 16, 2025, surrounded by family. Born on March 1, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan, Vaughn’s life took him across the country at a young age to Racine, Wisconsin and then brought the whole family to Montana, first to Great Falls and eventually retiring to Baker.

After enlisting in the U.S. Army, Vaughn honorably served in Vietnam, demonstrating bravery and dedication to his country. Following his military service, he built a career with the U.S. Postal Service, where he worked for 33 years before retiring.

On May 30, 1972, Vaughn married the love of his life, Cookie Zenko, in Racine, Wisconsin. Together, they built a family filled with love, laughter, and resilience. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who always put family first.

The self-proclaimed crazy old hippie always stayed true to his love of music, belief in kindness and unwavering appreciation for the simple joys in life. Had he and Cookie known back then that rocking the “van life” could be trendy, much less be a whole career, he may never have gotten out of the driver’s seat. But his heart had love enough to spread - not only to his wife and children - but to virtually everyone he met, treating them as family, from the neighborhood kids in Racine, to his friends in Great Falls, to all the Spartans in Baker. To truly know “Senior”, as he was often called, is to understand a man who wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life. He was an artist and poet, musician and pool shark, playful and profound, family man and restless wanderer, fighter and pacifist, kind and curious, an adventurer and a philosopher. He contained multitudes, and to catalogue all the individual pieces would be a disservice to the man as a whole – he was all of those things and so much more. He spent life searching for meaning, but also understood it deeply, savored it fully, and shared his wisdom with those around him. Whether through his humor, selflessness, or quiet reflections, he helped us recognize the beauty of connection. In his later years, he reconnected with the book “Stranger in a Strange Land”, contemplating the deeper connections in life—seeing himself as a traveler between worlds, someone who had experienced so much and was preparing for the next journey and sharing what he could before he had to go. We are all, in some way, strangers in a strange land, learning and growing as we go. We are all just travelers here, learning laughing and loving as best we can. After his first major health scare when doctors said he might not ever wake up again, he fought for 11 more glorious years, getting to sing at his son’s wedding, see his granddaughter get married and, in the biggest shock of all, see his Cubs win the World Series. He also got to spend the last five getting to know the two newest grandkids in the family and was reminded how to see the world through a lens of wonder and curiosity. He shared with them, the whole family, and those lucky enough to know him, the message that love is not limited, that we grow by sharing our experiences, and that even as we leave this world, we remain part of something greater. He had two heroes in life, and Cookie would often hear, “Cook, we have to keep the house clean. You never know if Jesus or Bob Dylan will stop by.” It was Dylan who said, "May you build a ladder to the stars and climb on every rung." Vaughn’s life was like that ladder—he embraced every moment, and every person he met was lifted a little higher, a little kinder, a little better for having known him. He showed that one person can make a difference, not through grand gestures, but in the everyday ways he cared, listened, and made people feel seen. His kindness wasn’t just something he had—it was something he shared, and that made all the difference. He proved that we are all connected, and that one person’s kindness can ripple out to change the world. That lives on through his family. If you knew him, you were touched by his generosity, his wit, and his warmth. And if we carry even a piece of that forward, then he’s still making a difference—one person at a time. His legacy of compassion, humor, and unwavering strength will be forever cherished by those who knew and loved him.

Vaughn Sr. is survived by his wife of 52 years, Cookie Zenko; his children, Kim Sayre (Mike) and Vaughn Zenko Jr. (Jessica); his beloved grandchildren, Eric Sayre, Mariah Sayre (Tara), Erin Zenko, and Riona Zenko; and countless nieces, nephews, friends and kindred spirits. He was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Peterson, and his son, Danny Zenko.

A celebration of Vaughn’s life will be held at a later date to be announced by the family. In lieu of flowers, he would rather you just go out, do something good, and be kind to someone today -- and then maybe tomorrow. And why not try for the day after that, too?