Ray Vaughan passed away Friday, August 11, 2017 one week after his 96th birthday. He was born in Isle of Wight County on August 4, 1921, and lived in Hampton, Virginia, for most of his adult life. He was the ninth and last surviving son of George Washington Vaughan and Berta Lou Rose Vaughan. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp during World War II, stationed in Guam. After his service, he returned to Hampton and continued his employment at Newport News Shipbuilding. He retired from NNS in 1980 as a General Foreman in the 043 Maintenance Department after 40 years of service.
Ray was a member of Liberty Baptist Church, and insisted on driving himself there each Sunday, as he didn’t want to impose on anyone. He was a good Christian man who was loved by all who knew him. He enjoyed volunteering for many years at Hampton Sentara Careplex Hospital.
In addition to his parents and eight brothers, Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Bradshaw Vaughan; two of his daughters, Judy Vaughan Gascon and Lisa Vaughan Swinney; three grandchildren, Harley, Joli, and Tyler Swinney; and one great-grandson, Jackson Gascon.
He is survived by his son, Michael Ray Vaughan and his wife, Lynn of Pittsboro, North Carolina; his daughter, Sandra Richardson and her husband, George of Newport News, Virginia; his grandchildren, Tony Gascon and his wife, Joy, Joanne Robinson, Grant Gascon and his wife, Erika, Ben Vaughan and his wife, Amy, Jodi Carr and her husband, Greg, Lindsay Vaughan, and Dawn Smith and her husband, Gary; eighteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Dr. Mohammed of Sentara Careplex Hospital, all the nurses on the 4th floor, and the in-hospital Hospice personnel who took such good and compassionate care of our Dad in the last week of his life. You were our angels during a very difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the American Cancer Society, 4416 Expressway Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452, or to the Sentara Careplex Auxiliary, 3000 Coliseum Drive, Hampton, Virginia 23666.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, August 15, 2017 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. Following the visitation, a service celebrating Ray’s life will be held at 3:00 pm. Entombment will be in Parklawn Memorial Park.
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