August Thomas Vaught

August T. Vaught, father, partner, and gifted engineer, was born on July 31, 1950, in Missouri to August and Hazel Vaught. From his earliest days, Tom possessed a restless curiosity and an unshakeable sense of where his life was headed. He knew he wanted something bigger, and he never stopped reaching for it.

After graduating high school, Tom set his sights on Michigan; the heart of America's Motor City. He enrolled at Western Michigan University, where he received his bachelor’s degree. In college, he was a formidable pool player, a true shark at the table who rarely met a challenger he couldn't best. It was there, too, that fate dealt him its finest gift: the woman who would become his wife, Nancy.

Tom's career was proof of his talent and tenacity. He began with work at an auto shop, then moved on to Holley Carburetor, perfecting his craft and deepening his expertise. It was at Ford Motor Company where he rose through the ranks to earn the title of Senior Engineer. His career accomplishments were extraordinary: he served as the Senior Engineer on the EcoBoost Turbo Charger project, led the special project team that helped Ford claim victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 2016, and left a permanent mark on the industry with his name on at least five Ford patents. Tom didn't just work at Ford; he helped shape it.

Beyond his professional achievements, nothing brought Tom greater pride than his two children, Steve and Ann.

In retirement, Tom's spirit remained just as lively. His love of carpentry filled his days with purpose; whenever a home project arose, his response was always the same: "I can build that.", and he could. He also found joy in reading, with a particular fondness for Western novels and survival and bushcraft stories, tales of rugged determination that mirrored his own character.

One of Tom's most cherished companions in his later years was Tippy, his adopted cat that he found in the yard. Tippy was a quiet comfort who knew just when to curl up nearby. Tom loved that little cat dearly.

August T. Vaught lived a life of ambition, craftsmanship, and love. He chased a dream from Missouri to Michigan and made it real through decades of hard work, and ingenuity. He is gone now, but the engines he helped build still run, the patents still carry his name, and the people who knew and loved him carry him still.

Visitation will be held at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan 48236, on March 13, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.