Eugene Ellsworth Vaught

Eugene E. "Gene" Vaught passed away peacefully on October 13, 2017 surrounded by his children and grandchildren. His family and friends are humbled and grateful to have shared a part of the 95 years he was with us. He was our cornerstone.

Gene was born in Paris, Illinois on August 1, 1922 to George and Elsie Vaught. Gene's early years were a glimpse into the person he would become later in life. He was intensely interested in school; academically and socially. He had perfect attendance through all but two academic years, played football and wrestled, excelled scholastically and was President of two of his high school classes. He participated in theater productions and the Key Club. The importance of education, diligence and service to others would be constants throughout his life.

During World War II, Gene enlisted in the Army Air Corps. While stationed in Grenada, Mississippi, he met Polly Elliott at a USO dance. Polly liked to jitterbug but Gene waited until the band played a slow song and cut in. That slow dance lasted for 56 years. Gene and Polly were married on June 29, 1945 and were together raising a family and making a home until Polly's death on November 9, 2001. To say that our mother was the love of our father's life would be a colossal understatement.

After the War, Gene returned to college on the GI Bill and received his Bachelors of Science in Commerce from St. Louis University, Magna Cum Laude. He returned to his high school Alma Mater, Belleville Township High School, where he taught business and accounting.

Gene and Polly's first four children, Carol, Don, Ron and Larry, were born in Illinois. After moving to California in 1960, Gene and Polly's fifth child, Laura, was born.

After working in accounting for Gemmel's Drugs, Gene returned to teaching. He taught accounting and general business at Ontario High School where he also coached wrestling. He was passionate about teaching and the relationships he had with his students and the wrestlers he coached were some of the most rewarding in his life. Although Gene retired from teaching in 1990, his friendships with former students – both from Ontario and Illinois – continued until his death.

Gene also believed strongly in the value of service to the community. He was actively involved in the Kiwanis Club, The Salvation Army, the Youth Accountability Board, the YMCA and California Retired Teachers.

Gene is survived by his five children and their spouses, 10 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and the many members of his extended family, friends and students whose lives he impacted indelibly.

Funeral services will be held on October 23, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Ontario where Gene and Polly were members since 1960.

In lieu of flowers, it was Gene's request that donations be made to California Retired Teachers to be used for scholarships for students becoming teachers (1750 Howe Avenue, Suite 630, Sacramento, CA 95825).