CARL ELMER VAUGHAN
Died Oct. 16, 2014
Carl Elmer Vaughan passed away peacefully at Kitty Askins Hospice Center Thursday afternoon the 16th of October.
Carl was born in Victoria, Va., and was the son of the late Vernon Virginius and Ethel Bland Vaughan.
Born in 1923, Carl grew up on a farm in Virginia during the Great Depression when every moment of work had to count as an accomplishment. That was a work ethic that Carl taught his family, and stood behind it every step of the way.
As an active member of The First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Goldsboro, Carl served as an elder for years, and earned the title elder emeritus for his extraordinary contributions in his life to the church and his many years of faithful and loving service to Christ.
Carl, in the 1940s and 1950s, taught an industrial arts, woodworking and welding class at Kenbridge High School in Virginia.
His passion and talent for woodworking was enjoyed throughout his life, building homes and custom-made furniture for both friends and family. With three other men and family, he built his last home from the ground up.
Carl served as a dedicated firefighter for more than 45 years beginning as fire inspector of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, then fireman and later assistant fire chief for the last 16 years. He enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow firefighters, and traveled extensively to share his knowledge and skills of fire safety.
Carl volunteered throughout North Carolina, and served more than 100 volunteer fire stations to share his knowledge and experience with young and professional firefighters. Carl was a fire training instructor through Wilson Community College for more than 20 years, instilling discipline, character and professionalism in all his students, and also taught at companies such as Bridgestone and Weyerhauser.
He also served in the United States Army for two years, and was stationed in Panama during World War II.
In addition to a career as a firefighter, Carl served as a lifetime member of Belfast Volunteer Fire Department and Goldsboro Volunteer Rescue Squad, in which he served as captain alongside his wife, Sudie, serving as president to the Women's Auxiliary.
Carl had a keen sense of humor, a compassionate heart and a remarkable mind. He will always be remembered for enjoying his solitaire games, his word search books, the Sunday crossword puzzles and his favorite TV show, Jeopardy, where he was always a winner.
His granddogs, Honey Bea and Rudy Bird, brought him great joy and companionship.
Carl was preceded in death by Sudie, his wife of 65 years, and son, Michael.
His daughter, Becky and her husband, Bobby, of Goldsboro, N.C.; his son, Stephen of Boston, Mass., and his daughter-in-law, Teresa Vaughan of Smithfield, N.C.; now survive Carl.
He also leaves behind his four grandchildren, Carla, Emily, Christopher and Michelle, along with their spouses, and several great-grandchildren.
He also leaves behind his "adoptive son," Pete Gunn.
Funeral services will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at First Christian Church, with the Rev. Dr. Fred Clarke and the Rev. Penny Ziemer officiating. Burial will follow in Wayne Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends at the church following the service.
The family would like to express its sincere appreciation for the compassionate care provided by the staff and volunteers at Kitty Askins Hospice Center.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kitty Askins Hospice Center at 107 Handley Park Court, Goldsboro, N.C., 27530, or First Christian Church Disciples of Christ at 1609 E. Ash St., Goldsboro, N.C., 27530.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on October 17, 2014 1:49 PM