Ben F. Vaughan III

Ben F. Vaughan, III of Austin, Texas passed away peacefully at home on August 11, 2024. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Daphne, his two sons, Ben IV and James, two daughters-in-law and six grandchildren. He was the rock of his family. His boundless, unconditional love will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Ben was born in Corpus Christi on May 2, 1941 and enjoyed a youth spent hunting and fishing on the Gulf Coast. He graduated from W. B. Ray High School and received his A.B. degree from Stanford University, majoring in classics. After the birth of his first son, Ben began law school. He earned his LL.B. degree with honors in 1967 from The University of Texas School of Law, where he served as an Associate Editor of the Texas Law Review and graduated Order of the Coif.

Ben joined Graves Dougherty Gee & Hearon (as the firm was then called) in August, 1968 – a partnership that would endure for the next 56 years. He was among the last of the generalists, but later in his career concentrated on oil and gas law. He was a member of the American Law Institute. Until the day before his death, he was a daily and beloved presence at Graves Dougherty.

Ben’s life had two themes: duty to nature and to his fellow man. He was a born fisherman, from his beginnings with a cane pole on a dock through billfishing miles offshore to wading Texas bays, sporting his trademark customized floppy hat festooned with lures. His love of hunting was mostly a byproduct of his love for being outdoors with his Brittany Spaniels. Starting with the pater familas, Hector Troiades, his house hosted generations of Brittanys, with the end of the line coming only a few months ago. As his friend Tom Gee said, “If there’s such a thing as reincarnation, I want to come back as one of Ben’s dogs.”

Fishing and hunting were more than avocations; they inspired a commitment to preserve the environment so that future generations could enjoy the Texas outdoors. He became deeply involved with the Coastal Conservation Association, UT Marine Science Institute, and Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, serving on their boards and providing enduring support for all three organizations. For these efforts, he was named to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s Conservation Hall of Fame in 2015.

Ben’s obligation to his fellow man was anchored in his Catholic faith. He was devoted to his family and never failed to support those less fortunate. He never walked past a homeless person, never declined a call from Catholic Charities. He volunteered with St. Vincent de Paul, served as the President of Central Texas Legal Aid, and was on the Board of Trustees of St. Edward’s University. He always saw the best in others, no matter their circumstances.

Last, but not least, he was the source of many wonderful aphorisms. In response to, “How are you, today?” he’d reply “Well, my wings are flappin’, but I don’t know if I’m off the water yet!” We trust he’s flying now. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.

“Like the generations of leaves, the lives of mortal men. Now the wind scatters the old leaves across the earth, now the living timber bursts with the new buds and spring comes round again. And so with men: as one generation comes to life, another dies away.” Homer, The Iliad, Book 6, lines 171-175.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Ben's name to Catholic Charities of Central Texas at ccctx.org/donate/