James Edward Vaught

VAUGHT, James Edward - On May 23, 2022, James (Jim) Edward Vaught, age 62 of Abingdon, died suddenly at his home surrounded by his family. Jim was born in Havre De Grace, Maryland on December 28, 1959, son to Fern Mildred Vaught (nee Horn) and the late Wiley Columbus Vaught. He is the beloved husband to Deborah Ann Vaught (nee McGarrity) and had just celebrated his 30th wedding anniversary a week before his passing. His sons Brandon James Vaught and Christopher Braeden Vaught were his greatest accomplishments in life. He loved bragging about them and boasting about how he taught them to ride their bicycles or more importantly how he taught them to throw, catch and hit a baseball. Jim was a dedicated Oriole fan and anything baseball related ran naturally through his veins. So, it was fitting that Jim decided to join the Emmorton Rec Baseball program in 2004 where he coached for several years at both the rec and travel levels. In the spring of 2006, he helped to lead a team of travel players to a remarkable 36-6 record. Then, immediately followed it up in the fall season with another astonishing record of 20-1. When his oldest son Brandon played ball during his senior year (2011) at Edgewood High School, Jim helped with the team and had so much fun doing it. Then when his youngest son Christopher played during his senior year in 2013, Jim was offered a position as the “assistant” coach. He made a lasting impression on so many young men’s lives, as he taught them to hone on their skills and abilities. When the high school stints commenced Jim moved on to the Churchville Rec program, where he had some of his finest and most precious moments as he coached both of his sons at the same time, for the same team; a team that would earn the title of Champion for two consecutive years. Jim just wasn’t truly satisfied unless he was standing on a baseball field, which is why when his coaching career ended, it took no convincing for him to join the Harford County Umpires Association. Beginning in the spring of 2017 Jim’s next chapter of his life began as he spent nearly every Saturday afternoon officiating a countless number of games at the Ripken Stadium Experience in Aberdeen, Maryland. He continued to umpire up until his death.

Other than Jim’s enthusiasm for baseball, his other passion seemed to be how he made a living for his family; he worked for more than 30 years in the fire protection industry as a technician/safety inspector. His interest in this field must have developed after he had served as Lieutenant in the Darlington Volunteer Fire Department in early adulthood. Jim would begin his career as a fire extinguisher technician and his title would evolve several times over the years as he gained a wealth of knowledge in other aspects of the business. He soaked up the encyclopedia of contents written in the NFPA 10 like he was a sponge. There wasn’t anything listed in that book that he didn’t already know by heart. His work peers, both past and present, always looked to him for help and guidance because they knew a quick phone call to Jim would render prompt answers and results. He was so well respected in the industry for his work ethics and rarely missed a day.

In addition to Jim’s immediate family, he is survived by his wife’s family: Mahla, Michael, Tracey and Austin McGarrity who have loved him as a son/brother/uncle since the day he said, “I do.” He is also loved and survived by two sisters: Laura Clegg and Kristine Vaught and their respective families, along with a countless number of close friends and other relatives. He will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure and honor to have known him.

The family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, June 3, 2022, from 3:00-5:00pm and again from 7:00-9:00pm at SCHIMUNEK FUNERAL HOME, 610 West MacPhail Road, Bel Air, MD. A "celebration of life" service will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022, beginning at 12:00pm. Interment to immediately follow at Bel Air Memorial Gardens.