Obituary of James W. "Buddy" Vaughan

James W. (Buddy) Vaughan was born October 15, 1921 in Clarksville, Texas to Mack Duff and Areetta Hart Vaughan. He married Joan Sims on September 5, 1948. They have two children, James W. Vaughan, Jr. and Clare Vaughan Rainey and two grandchildren, Christopher Barnard Vaughan and Jennifer Ann Allen.

Buddy graduated from Clarksville High School in 1938 and attended Paris Junior College where he participated in track and tennis and was elected Student Council President in 1941. He began a lifetime career of flying at PJC with advance instruction at Love Field in Dallas, Texas.

Buddy joined the United States Navy on June 19, 1942. Following Naval Air Cadet training in New Orleans, Louisiana, he was stationed in Pensacola, Florida where he completed training and received the designation of Naval Aviator. He was later assigned as flight instructor. After completion of instructor duties, he was assigned to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, Bomber Fighter Squadron Two aboard the aircraft carrier Shangri-La-flying the F4U Corsair on combat air patrol in the Pacific. He was released from active duty in December 1945, but continued to fly with the Naval Reserve while attending North Texas State University and the University of Texas in Austin. He returned to Clarksville in 1950 and purchased Smith Sims Insurance Agency. Lieutenant Commander Vaughan was recalled to active duty in February, 1953 during the Korean War and was assigned to Air Development Squadron Four at the Navy Missile Test Center, USNAS, Point, Mugu, California.  He flew the jet aircraft, F3D Sky Night, testing air to air guided missiles. Upon his release from active duty in December, 1953, he returned to Clarksville to operate his insurance agency.

Buddy was President of the Clarksville Rotary Club in 1954 and was President of the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce in 1958.  He was a member of the Agricultural Improvement Association.  He helped organize and was secretary of the Red River County Industrial Foundation.  He worked with Congressman Wright Patman to secure federal funding for streets and water for the development of the Industrial Park and to secure funding for buildings for industrial prospects.  Four new industries moved to the park in the 1960’s. He helped secure the land and designed the Clarksville-Red River County Airport which was built in 1968. He helped with the planning, organization and publicity for the Langford Lake project.

Buddy served as manager of the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce from 1962 until 1971 when he was named Director of Personnel for the Baker and Taylor Company-Clarksville plant. In 1974 he accepted the position of Director of Personnel and Company Pilot for the Piggly Wiggly Red River Company serving stores located in the four states area and continued in this position until 1983. He was a personnel consultant until his retirement in 1998.

In 1985 he received the George F. Sunkel Award for outstanding community service over a period of years. He was a member of the American Legion Post 45, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Red River County Chamber of Commerce and the McKenzie Memorial United Methodist Church.

Flying was Buddy’s first love and he flew for 46 years.  He and Joan enjoyed their membership at the Clarksville Country Club and spending time at their cabin at North Lake. His pride in the community kept him involved in many endeavors to make this a better place. His personality and organizational skills helped him work well with others in business and in organizations. His many accomplishments are a part of the visible history of Red River County.

Funeral services are set for 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 2, 2017, at McKenzie Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Jerry Colgrove officiating.  Burial will follow with full Military Honors in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Clarksville Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends an hour before service time at the church.

Survivors include his son, James W. Vaughan, Jr. and wife, Pam of Clarksville; his daughter, Clare Vaughan Rainey of Clarksville; grandchildren, Chris Vaughan and wife, Michele of Bogata and Jennifer Allen and husband, Laramie of Arp; great grandchildren, Madison and Cason Vaughan and Cash and Channing Allen; two nieces, Brenda Busby and Evelyn Welle and his favorite cat, Hummer.

Memorials may be made to the McKenzie Memorial United Methodist Church at P.O. Box 365, Clarksville TX, 75426.