Thomas Alfred John Vaughan

Published in the Winston-Salem Journal from 8/28/2008 - 8/29/2008

Thomas Alfred John Vaughan, 74, an extraordinary man, loved by many, passed away on August 26, 2008.

Tommy was born on July 21, 1934 in Detroit, MI to the late George C. Vaughan and the late Mary Louise Torpey Vaughan. Tommy was a retired veteran of the US Army and was the owner of Show-offs Photography Studio in Winston-Salem for over 30 years.

The particular events of Tommy' s life helped to direct the path that his life took but it was his incredibly big heart and love for life that defined Tommy' s spirit.

His life long love of baseball landed him a starting position (3rd base) on the 1952 Hearst All Star Team while in high school. Tommy then followed that dream after graduation and signed with the Cleveland Indians' minor leagues. His kindness and love of laughter earned him a team ring as "Most Popular Player".

Tommy had a knack for making anyone feel like they were the most special person in the world when they were around him. He loved to nickname people as part of his "special treatment". Nellie Annie (wife, Ann), Fritz (daughter, Juli), Tom-Tom (son, Tommy), Ole One Too Many (son, Patrick). Grandchildren were Dusty, Funny Face, KT and Punkin Pie. Brother George (Bunwhacker) and sister Joanie (Butch), and that is just the short list.

Many nieces, nephews and friends hold especially penned names by Tommy. But we all know that the apple doesn' t fall far from the tree so we gave him his own nickname of "Messy Marv". Laughter and love were always his goals. His family, friends and countless strangers had many a day brightened and load lifted by Tommy' s caring soul and quick wit.

Our family has spent innumerable hours in side splitting laughter because of the kind of nonsense Tommy would come up with.

He is survived by wife Ann, daughter Juli (Michael) Cservenko and children Dustin and Mikayla, son Tommy (Cheryl) and daughter Kaylyn, son Patrick and his son Ian, brother George E. (Peggy) Vaughan of Venice, FL, sister Joan Caruso of Winston-Salem, sister and brother-in-law Jimmie and Ross McKendrick of Goebels, MI, brother-in-law Rik Rogers of Douglasville, GA and many nieces and nephews who were all dear to him.

The family would like to say a special thanks to Mache', his favorite Hospice nurse, along with the entire Hospice home care staff, Dr. Peter Parker for his heroic efforts, along with the ER staff and ICU staff at Forsyth Hospital who made this difficult time easier to bear.

To his special friends, Charlie and Joan Porterfield, Calvin Willoughby, Gail Hatfield and Victor Sinclair we thank you for all you' ve added to the lives of the Vaughan Family.

A private family viewing will take place on Friday, Aug. 29, 2008 at Hayworth Miller Funeral Home on Silas Creek Parkway. Friends may sign the condolence book on Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Funeral home.

A Mass of the Resurrection will celebrate Tommy' s life at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2008 at Our lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Link Rd with Father Conal McHugh officiating.

Burial will follow at Parklawn Memorial Park. Family will receive friend following interment at the Vaughan home.

Tommy was so full of life for so many years and as we grieve his absence we hope to carry on his legacy of life and love!

Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.