Joe Howard Vaughn

The life and memory of Joe Howard Vaughn will be honored Wednesday, November 11th, at the Faith Chapel of Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, TX. A pre-service reception will be held at 1 p.m., services at 2 p.m., with burial to follow at Plano Mutual Cemetery, Jupiter Rd at 18th St.

He was born in San Saba, TX on April 1, 1938, to Ennis Ditt Vaughn and Catherine Vaughn, the third of six children; Flora, Allie D, Dolores, Daisy, and Daniel. He passed into his eternal home on November 5, 2026.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Carla Booe Vaughn; son, Craig (Karen) Vaughn of Richardson, TX; daughter, Kristyn (Clay) Enger of Lubbock, TX; grandson, Kyle Vaughn; granddaughters, Caroline Vaughn and Annika Enger; brother, Dan Vaughn; brother-in-law, Jack Booe (Millie); and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Faith and family were central to Joe's life. He was actively involved in church leadership and ministry throughout his life, serving with Sonscape Ministries of Colorado and the 5th Grade Sunday School Class and Inner Healing Ministry of FUMC Carrollton, TX. He also served with Marriage Mentors, as a Deacon, and was deeply blessed by his dear friends of the Stay Blessable class at Prestonwood Baptist Church. Joe faithfully led his family to Jesus. He and Carla began each morning together in God’s word and truly believed in the power of prayer, lifting up long lists of family and friends.

Joe loved spending time with his family. He coached little league soccer, attended dance and piano recitals, scouting events, basketball games, and orchestra concerts. The family cherished their annual Thanksgiving ski trips to South Fork, CO, and special family game nights. He and Carla also delighted in hosting gourmet dinner parties, playing bridge, Bible studies, and traveling with friends. He also loved to "tinker" around with small projects either at his desk, in the garage, or in the yard. Reading and "checking his eyelids for leaks" were also favorite pastimes. His teasing and playful nature led to him being affectionately known as "Papa Joe" or "Taco Meat" to his grandkids and "Big Dog" to his many friends.

Joe was a proud American, having served his country in the U.S. Army, stationed two years in Germany. He had a lifelong passion for learning, earning his B.S. in Mathematics, Texas A&M University and MBA, Central Missouri University. He didn't shy away from hard work, and his varied and colorful roles included both “blue and white collar” jobs; climbing poles as a lineman for West Texas Utilities, a butcher, a bouncer at a skating rink, and as an oil field roughneck. He held post-graduate, information technology positions with Ford Motor Company, The Lee Company, Wang Laboratories, FileNet, and then in church software and medical equipment sales. Following his "retirement," he taught and tutored both young and old in computer classes at the University of Texas at Dallas, 5th grade math in Granbury, TX ISD, and then as an accounting consultant to private schools.

Our family is deeply thankful for all of the support you have shown during this time as we celebrate Joe’s life. If you would like to make a donation to honor Joe, you can send it to the Prestonwood Pregnancy Center.