Gerald Wesley Vaughan

Gerald was born in Liberty, Kentucky. He was predeceased by his parents: Ovis and Roxie Vaughan, his sister Mary and his daughter Lesli.

Before joining the Marine Corps he taught school in a one room school room in Kentucky. Jerry was also honored to be commissioned into the Kentucky Colonels by the then Governor John Y Brown.

He joined the Marines in 1951 and retired as a Lt Colonel in 1975 He served in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive and is noted to have flown 336 combat missions during this time. Even flying two combat missions on the morning he was due to leave for home. He loved flying his F4 and F8 during this time and regularly flew Mach 1 and 2.

Gerald returned home to civilian life in 1975. He then became the Manager of a Savings and Loan Office in Morehead City NC. He worked for the state of KY. He taught an Economics course at Shelby Campus U of L.

He worked for the newly established Economic Development Department for the State of Kentucky. One of his achievements was to bring a Cookie Factory to Pikeville. Gerald then decided to buy an RV and retire to Florida.

He met his wife Stella who is English and for the next 20 years every summer they decided to travel the country to show Stella what this magnificent country is all about. The farthest west they went was to the Grand Canyon. They also joined a caravan of RVs which were put on train flatbeds and taken by train to the Copper Canyon in Mexico. During that journey they needed armed guards to protect the whole caravan. They also travelled to a variety of countries by cruise liners. Jerry thoroughly enjoyed cruising as he could sit and read to his hearts content. He was a prolific reader.

For the next 20 years he was a Guardian ad Litem to many young children representing them in court helping them to achieve a safe and successful home life.

For the last 16 years up to 2017 he was also an excellent wood turner He moved to Orange Park, Florida with his wife Stella where he built his last house and a large workshop. He then proceeded to make all sorts of wooden items which his wife sold at the Riverside Arts Market under the Fuller Warren Bridge in Jacksonville, Florida.

Gerald is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Stella Merchant-Vaughan, 6 children: Debra Vaughan, Stephani Haskins, Gerald Wesley Vaughan (Jnr) - wife (Teresa), Clarke Vaughan, Tanya Vaughan Armstrong and Desiree Hill- husband (Rick); 2 Brothers: Bill Vaughan- wife (Lynda) and Larry Vaughan; 12 Grandchildren and 14 Great Grandchildren.

A Memorial (Celebration of his life) will be held on August 6th at 11am at Grace Anglican Church, 5804 US 17, Fleming Island, FL 32003. Internment with Military Honors will be held on September 16th at the Lebanon National Cemetery, 20 State Highway 208, Lebanon KY at 2.30pm.

Arrangements by HARDAGE-GIDDENS HOLLY HILL FUNERAL HOME, 3601 Old Jennings Road, Middleburg, Florida. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hoIIyhiIlfuneraIs.com.