Earl Vaughan Jr., 81, affectionately known as "Poppy," passed away Sunday March 25, 2018 at his home in Abilene, Texas. A Rosary service will be held at 5:30 PM followed by visitation from 6:00 until 8:00 PM on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Hwy. 277 South. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM. Friday, March 30, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 837 Jeanette Street, with Reverend Bob Bush officiating. Burial will follow the service in Elmwood Memorial Park.
Hubbert "Earl" Vaughan Jr. was born on November 19, 1936 in Ft. Worth, TX. When he was just a baby he moved to Abilene, TX with his loving, devoted parents Hubbert and Catherine Vaughan. His father worked for Greyhound Bus for over 25 years and his mother was a homemaker. They instilled a very strong work ethic and taught him the importance of doing his best with each task. The family centered their life around church activities, attending Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Earl was baptized on December 23, 1937. As a child he grew up in one of the first homes built in the Elmwood area. Back in those days this area was "in the country" where they raised chickens and played sandlot baseball. His cousin Mary Jean spent many days at their house and was like a sister to him.
Earl attended St. Joseph's Catholic Academy and South Junior High. He went on to graduate from Abilene High School in 1954, where he was involved in A-club, football, baseball, domino club, and audio-visual club. Following High School, Earl took night courses at Hardin Simmons University and Ranger Junior College, while working full-time during the day. He transferred his employment to Austin, where he attended the University of Texas from 1959 - 61, focusing on a business curriculum. Earl had a strong belief in education and was very proud in helping support his four sons in completing their college degrees.
Earl worked thirty-eight years for the Texas Department of Highways and Transportation, starting in 1955 and retiring in 1993. During his career, he focused on many different aspects of the Department, including: drafting, lab, testing, pavement evaluation, and vegetation management. One of his favorite vegetation management endeavors was speaking with civic groups, presenting Lady Bird Johnson's vision of wild flower planting along Texas highways.
On a blind date, Earl met the love of his life, Beverly Kay Browning. Three months later, at Christmas, Earl proposed to Beverly and they married on June 2, 1956 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. They were married for 36 years and had four sons: Vic, Mark, Jeff, and Scott. Their family life consisted of church attendance at Sacred Heart, school homework assignments, sports activities, and vacation camping and ski trips. As a Christian, Earl enjoyed serving as a church lectern scripture reader and mentored his son's in doing the same. He was a devoted and loving father, supporting his children throughout the up's and downs of life. He was a tremendous baseball coach for his son's and their teams, while they were playing at Dixie Little League. He spent many hours on and off the field, teaching his kids the spirit of competition and always giving their best effort.
Earl was a member of the National Guard of Texas during the early years of marriage as well as the Knights of Columbus. He enthusiastically designed and built complicated home improvement projects, teaching his kids the importance of getting it right. Earl was also an avid golfer with a membership at Shady Oaks Country Club. He played countless rounds of golf there and thoroughly enjoyed the beauty and serenity of being on a golf course. He loved music, took pleasure in dancing, and found entertainment through classic country and western movies. Earl enjoyed laughter and making people laugh, often finding humor in himself and the simplest things of life. He led a humble life and was very generous and supportive of his family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Catherine Vaughan, his in-laws Bonnie and Brooks Browning, his youngest son, Scott Vaughan and his nephew, Jerry Don "JD" Altman.
Earl has been a lifetime blessing from the Lord. While he is extremely missed, his legacy will continue to live on in his surviving family: Beverly Vaughan (mother of his children); Son's: Vic Vaughan, Mark Vaughan and his wife Shonna, Jeff Vaughan and his wife Catalina; Grandchildren: Nicole and husband Leo, Devin and wife Whitney, Micah, Spencer, Cullen, Gabriella, and Michael Vaughan; Step-Grand Daughter: Tiffany Burleson; Great Grandchildren: Landon, Jordan, Hudson, Leighton, and Olivia Vaughan; Cousins: Mary Jean Medders Wills, Natalie Gerry, Sandra DeBeauford; and nephew, Glen "Possum" Altman.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Saint Vincent de Paul at 1241 Walnut St., Abilene, TX 79601 or a charity close to one's heart.
