Donald L. Vaughn

Donald L. Vaughn, 71, of Camdenton, Mo., lost his battle with cancer at his home on Friday, April 25, 2014. He was born June 3, 1942, to Edward Vaughn and Marguerite (Williams) Vaughn, in Sedalia, Mo.

Don grew up in Knob Noster, Mo., where he graduated high school. He later attended CMSU in Warrensburg, but joined the Navy and later received his medical technology degree from the U.S. government.

While in the Navy, he was stationed in Japan where he met his first wife, Jan, with whom he had three daughters, Lisa, Darlene, and Melissa.

After leaving the Navy, he worked at many hospitals in the laboratory and at many of those, was the lab director. While working at Nevada Hospital, he met and married Pat Vaughn, mother of his children, Jana and Donald Justin (D.J.) and mother to his stepchildren, Steve Sipe, Mikkie Sipe, Doug Duncan, and Chadd Duncan. With his daughters, they became a well-blended family and all consider the others their family to this day.

Don was united in marriage in 2003 to his high school sweetheart, Michelle. They lived in Boulder City, Nevada, before coming home to Missouri to be closer to his mother and children.

Don had two hobbies that he loved -- music and cars and he was involved in them both until his eyesight failed him in 2002. He played in many country bands from the 60s to the 90s. He was lucky enough to perform with many greats such as Barbara Mandrell, Johnny Cash, Faron Young, Bill Monroe, Chubby Checker, and Gordon Terry. He loved rebuilding old cars. He was a Ford man and his favorites were the 1956 Ford Convertible and Shelby Mustangs. He made many friends through his love for music and his love for cars.

Don was preceded in death by both parents; a sister, Darlene Vaughn -- who died at two days old; and his daughter, Lisa Vaughn -- who died of cancer in 2010. Survivors include his wife, Michelle, of the home; brothers, Gene Vaughn, of Camdenton, and Wayne Vaughn, of Sedalia; three daughters, Darlene Haliford and husband, Dennis, of El Dorado Springs, Mo., Melissa Smith and husband, Paul, of Nevada, and Jana Vaughn, of Nevada; a son, D.J. Vaughn, of Nevada; a stepson, John Daley, of Las Vegas, Nev.; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 17, at the First Baptist Church, 110 E. McPherson, in Knob Noster, Mo.