John Earl Vaughn passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, at home surrounded by loving family. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Janice Mount Vaughn; three children, Gail Vaughn Ashworth (Ray), Joe Vaughn (Diane) and Jim Vaughn (Denise); grandchildren, Chris Vaughn (Mary Beth), Lauren Vaughn Ansley (Will), Megan Vaughn Foshee (Chase), and Jessica Vaughn; and great-grandchildren, Lily Ansley, Levi Ansley and Lacey Foshee. He is also survived by a brother, Claude Vaughn, sister-in-law, Linda Mount Howland; many beloved nephews, great-nephews, great-nieces, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, John Bernard Vaughn and Claudia Olivia Barnes Vaughn.
John was born in Brundidge, Alabama on August 1, 1932, attended Central Park Elementary and graduated from Ensley High School in Birmingham, Alabama. He was a Second Lieutenant in the Army during the Korean War then attended Auburn University where he graduated in 1957 with a B.A. in Aeronautical Engineering. He worked at General Dynamics in Ft. Worth, Texas, then returned to Alabama with his young family and worked for Chrysler until his retirement. During his career at Chrysler, he helped develop the Plymouth Superbird/Dodge Daytona, and he and a colleague developed the high wing spoiler car that was the first car to record a speed over 200 mph at Talladega Speedway. The cars so dominated NASCAR that it led to restrictions and the ultimate demise of the advanced design production car. He later worked in the Space Shuttle program until his retirement from Chrysler, attending launches at Cape Canaveral/Cape Kennedy. After retirement from Chrysler, he worked for United Technologies for 13 years.
John and Jan have been members of Trinity United Methodist Church, founded in 1956, since moving to Huntsville in 1960. John served as an usher, a member of the choir, a member of the Building Committee, the Organ Committee and many other committees, a member of the handbell choir, and he and Jan were long-time members of the Cokesbury Sunday School Class. He loved serving the church in many other ways including cutting the grass, driving the bus, and helping with organ building and repairs.
John also loved serving his community and was a strong supporter of Habitat for Humanity, participating in local builds and mission trips, including El Salvador and Anchorage, Alaska where he and Jan met President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalyn Carter on a Habitat build he worked on for months (including over the winter) while vacationing in Alaska. He volunteered as a youth baseball umpire for many years and tutored children in reading at Whitesburg Elementary School.
John was a member of Kiwanis where he served as President, worked on the Old Huntsville newspaper for many years, and loved reading with children in a local school supported by Kiwanis. He was also a member of the American Guild of Organists for many years and enjoyed listening to organists and choirs perform.
John loved the outdoors, playing golf, waterskiing, canoeing and traveling with his wife. He most enjoyed the Gulf Coast vacationing with family, or square dance group trips, and especially his favorite, eating oysters any way he could get them prepared.
John loved his family, he loved the Lord, and he had great faith.
The family will host visitation at Trinity United Methodist Church, 607 Airport Rd. Huntsville, AL on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. with the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery following the service.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests memorial contributions to Habitat for Humanity, Kiwanis, Trinity United Methodist Church, or the charity of your choice.
