Mr. Vaughn Gaylon Kankey

Vaughn Gaylon Kankey was born on June 16,1933 in Wideman Arkansas, known as Gaylon to family and friends in Arkansas. He was known as Vaughn to friends at work, church, in the basketball gym, golf course and neighbors. He was Pumkin as a child and Boknobber to his grandsons. Married to Marcella Bagwell in Houston Texas 1955. Vaughn passed into Heaven on October 29, 2022.

Vaughn was preceded in death by his father and mother, Ed Kankey and Vester Kankey, siblings, Donneta Kankey Hall and Dewayne Kankey, niece and nephew Donna Hall and Victor Kankey.

Vaughn is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marcella Bagwell Kankey, Daughter Deborah Kankey Blount, son Greg Kankey, grandchildren Rachel Kankey, Rebecca Kankey, Jacob Kankey, Steven Crandall, Matthew Crandall and his brother, Billy Joe Kankey, Donneta Kankey Hall and Dwayne Kankey

He attended Oxford High School playing Basketball on the varsity team from 8th grade – senior year.

Vaughn served in the US military Air Force from after playing semi pro basketball in Indianapolis. He was Honorably Discharged in 1960. He worked for the FAA in El Paso, Albuquerque, and Fort Worth. He retired as the Assistant Chief of The Regional Center.

Vaughn was a member of North Richland Hills Baptist Church since 1966. He loved his Sunday School class and friends. He volunteered his time after retirement with many friends and charity organizations. He loved to help people whenever and wherever he could. He worked at D Bar H Ranch in Decatur for his friend Dean Hancock to help with the cattle and daily running of the ranch. One of his prizes from that was a bull named General Patton. Vaughn and Greg saved the calf’s life on a frozen hill when the calf was born on a frigid night. Vaughn owned and showed The General for several years of fun.

Vaughn loved to boat and waterski. He taught water skiing to all friends. He learned to play golf from his brother-in-law, Paul Poston. He became a golf fanatic, playing 4 days each week at Diamond Oaks Country Club and everywhere he traveled. Many of his best stories are about playing, watching and coaching basketball. He had unofficial reserved seats at Birdville Coliseum and Public Schools Gym in Ft Worth. Vaughn enjoyed watching young golfer, Mark Brooks, from age 11. Vaughn was caddie and travel companion for Mark throughout Mark’s junior golf. He loved his time on the links with Mark and watching him become a PGA player. Their friendship was one of his favorites. Vaughn attended major golf tournaments to watch Mark whenever he could. He enjoyed going to The Masters with Mark and Cynthia as well as local and PGA Championships. Vaughn also shared his love for golf with Deborah and Greg as they grew to love the game that he loved. Vaughn was also an expert at ping pong and billiards. He surprised many younger people with his skills. He pretended he didn’t know how to play and then beat them with ease.

Vaughn loved, led, and served his family in every way he could. He was at every sporting event, took off time from work to be at every tip-off or kickoff. He drove us all over the state for games and playoffs. He never played on or coached a losing team. He was the best fan and coach in all our lives. He was an excellent teacher of all that he knew, he was patient in teaching us all about auto and truck mechanics.

Vaughn loved his wife Marcella more than any of these things except Lord Jesus Christ. He wanted everyone to know the relationship that he had with God through the saving grace of Christ. He loved hearing God’s Word, singing Hymns of faith and praying for other people. He said it was his privilege to pray. Vaughn and Marcella were Prayer Warriors!

A memorial gathering will be held on Friday, November 4, 2022 from 5PM-7PM at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home, located at 5725 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, Texas 76034.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 11AM at North Richland Hills Baptist Church located at 6955 26 Blvd, North Richland Hills, TX 76180

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bluebonnethills.com for the Kankey family.