Robert Clinton Vaughn

Robert Clinton Vaughn, 77, entered eternal rest on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Born on November 12, 1946 in Dallas, TX to the late Robert Charles Vaughn and Jimmy Jean Young, he was raised in Texas, often assisting his father in his donut shop despite not having a taste for that particular pastry.

As a young boy, Robert was impressed by a neighbor who wore a suit and tie to work each day and, having discovered that the man was an accountant, he resolved to likewise pursue that profession to become the Beau Brummel of accountancy. He did indeed fulfill his sartorial ambitions, being always impeccably and nattily attired. Always polite and punctual, Robert was a consummate gentleman. If, as they say, punctuality is the politeness of princes, he was indisputably a prince among men. To even refer to him now as ‘the late’ Robert Vaughn would be a gross misnomer at which he’d surely balk.

Yet, Robert’s mind was sharper than the crease in his Levi’s jeans. By virtue of his innate intelligence and diligence, he achieved academic success, enabling him to graduate early, with straight A’s, from Grand Prairie High School in Grand Prairie, TX, where he was invariably the smartest kid in the class. Subsequently, he was employed at Long Mile Rubber Company in Dallas while simultaneously taking college level accounting courses. Having passed the CPA exam on the first try, which is rare, Robert derived great joy from his work as a Certified Public Accountant.

Among the many hobbies he enjoyed were reading, woodworking and exercise. In fact, upon his retirement, Robert undertook a regular exercise regime and consistently trod the treadmill, averaging about 7 miles per day. According to the spreadsheet he kept of his exercise stats for 77 weeks, he’d walked 3,563 miles.

Since 1991, Robert and his wife, Patricia, resided in both Plano and Hickory Creek. His warmth, generosity and unflinching empathy endeared him to so many -- family, friends and strangers alike. Throughout his life, he placed tantamount importance on family, to whom he showed unswerving devotion, particularly as a loving father and provider to his fraternal twin children, Craig and Cari. Not merely a marital in-law, he was as much a part of his wife’s family as though he’d been born into it. His family will remember him for his unconditional love, keen intelligence and indomitable strength that rendered him an inspiration to all who knew him.

During his illness, Robert didn’t want to be cosseted or fussed over and was slow to accept any assistance. He was extremely grateful for the care he received from Three Oaks Hospice, Nurse Lynne and Diane, his hospice aide. In the end, Robert died as he had lived – valiantly, selflessly and with implacable good humor. An avid reader with an affinity for the Jack Reacher series of books, he’d made note of the quote from 61 Hours: ‘I’m not afraid of death. Death’s afraid of me.’ And so, it was with him; he didn’t fear death but rather embraced it with strength and equanimity. The world is a brighter place for him having passed this way.

Robert is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years, Patricia Vaughn of Hickory Creek, TX; his cherished canine best friend, Lucy; son, Robert Craig Vaughn; daughter, Rachel Cari Chancelor and her husband, Tony Genova; his mother, Jimmy Jean Young; brother, Donald (Nadine) Vaughn; step-brother, Phillip Maxwell; two grandchildren and two great grandchildren; nieces and nephews, John Wilson Paterson, Kristina Paterson Leonard and husband Dan Leonard, Megan Morris, Mackenzie Morris; and many in-laws, including Linda (David) van Nunen, Nancy Ward, John (Pam) Paterson, Thomas Paterson and Lorraine (Mitchell) Morris.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, June 23, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Ted Dickey West Funeral Home, 7990 President George Bush Turnpike, Dallas, TX with Father Alfredo Garcia officiating.