Vaughn "Bud" Robert Rhinehart Jr.

Vaughn "Bud" Robert Rhinehart Jr., age 94, of Waynesville, NC passed away on April 16, 2024. Vaughn was born to the late Vaughn Rhinehart, Sr., and Eva Hooper Rhinehart in the Saunook Community of Haywood County on November 19, 1929. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beulah Mae Hall Rhinehart, and sons Ronnie and Freddie Rhinehart, and six siblings.

Vaughn began his career with the State of North Carolina for the Department of Transportation in 1945 at 16 years of age, and retired from that job almost five decades later. He was also an entrepreneur who developed a tract of land in the Hazelwood area and created a neighborhood of twenty homes.

He was instrumental in the development of the Western North Carolina Wagon Train in 1958 from Tellico Plains, Tennessee, to Murphy, North Carolina. It was established to help bring awareness to the legislature of the need for good roads to connect East Tennessee to Western North Carolina. The wagon train developed into a tradition for his family, his parents, siblings and their children. It became so popular within the participant community beyond the success of its original goal, it still thrives 65 years later. He enjoyed his wagon and mules for those annual treks across the mountains and the smaller second wagon train later established for Haywood County.

He was very active in the Haywood County Democratic Party and won many service awards for his dedication, including the Liston B. Ramsey Service Award. Vaughn spent many years volunteering as a poll worker and active campaigner, always encouraging people about the importance of exercising their right to vote. He was a Hazelwood Booster member and worked in many community organizations over the last 70 years. Recently, he was recognized for his service of 50 years as a Master Mason with the local Waynesville Masonic Lodge #259. He enjoyed fishing trips to Montana and Canada, dining out with friends, and socializing with many different groups in the community.

In addition to his brother, John Rhinehart (Julie), he is survived by his dear friend, Doris Messer, granddaughter, Tonya Southerland (Donald), great-grandchildren Jessica and Coty Houck, two great-great granddaughters and nine nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 PM Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in the chapel of Garrett Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Masonic funeral honors will be held following the service at Saunook Plott Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Garrett Funeral Home is caring for the family. A message of comfort may be left for the family at www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com.