Donald T. Vaughan Sr., saw good in everyone
Donald T. Vaughan Sr., 88, of Bethany Beach, passed away Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, at his home. He was born March 9, 1929, in Washington, D.C., a son of the late Dudley J. Vaughan Sr. and Ruth (Galleher) Vaughan.
In 1948, Vaughan graduated from Gonzaga College High School, where he lettered in football. He attended the University of Maryland, College Park. Vaughan served in the U.S. Army and gleaned skills in the Signal Corps that led to a 35-year career in government communications with American Telephone & Telegraph Co. (AT&T).
Vaughan married Helen Connelly in 1956 and they raised four children in Cheverly, Md. In 1986, they built a vacation house in Bethany Beach. Soon after Vaughan retired, Bethany became his year-round home.
He enjoyed bicycle riding in the lower Sussex countryside and often rode up the street to check on the ocean. In 2008, at his wife's insistence, Vaughan switched to a three-wheel bike. He still savored jaunts on that red trike after his 87th birthday.
Vaughan relished evenings on the beach at Oakwood Street with friends and family; antics in the surf; the Washington Redskins; sharing gingersnaps, homemade wine, and his garden's bounty; Sunday family dinners; and a good Rusty Nail. He liked to make people laugh with funny quips and stories. He always saw the good in everyone.
In addition to his parents, Vaughan was preceded in death by his beloved wife of almost 58 years, Helen, who passed in 2014; and his brothers, Dudley Vaughan Jr. and George Vaughan. He is survived by his loving children, Vicki (Mark) McCowan, Donny Vaughan Jr., Pat (Tim) Campbell and Pam Vaughan; grandchildren Colleen (Aaron) Howell, Matt (Nicky) McCowan, PJ McCowan, TJ Campbell, and Christine Campbell; great-grandchildren Brooke, Callan, and Delaney Jane McCowan, and Isaac and Hannah Howell. He also is survived by his dear sisters-in-law, Kitty Vaughan and Lois Vaughan, and many nieces, nephews, and cherished friends.
The family is grateful to the caregivers who helped Vaughan to be able to remain in his home (especially Lindsey Garcia and Jen Hawkins) and to the Vitas Hospice staff, whose compassion and care were exceptional.
A celebration of Vaughan's life will be held Saturday, Oct. 28, at 11 a.m. at Melson Funeral Services, Ocean View, with the Rev. Jim Sipes officiating. Friends may begin calling at 10 a.m. Interment will be at a later date at Delaware Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Ronald McDonald House of Delaware, 1901 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803. Condolences may be sent online at www.melsonfuneralservices.com.
