Psalms 139:14 I will l praise You, because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it very well.
David Wesley Vaughn, 68 closed his eyes in the early morning hours of November 20th and opened them in the arms of Jesus. As most of you know, David was born with Down’s Syndrome. Back in 1953, little was known about this disability. Life expectancy was short, but with God’s grace and the love and care of his parents Elizabeth and Willard Vaughn, David thrived. When David crossed over Jordan, we can only imagine the celebration when he saw his Jesus, Mom, dad, and brother Jason waiting to welcome him on the other side.
David lived his entire life in McMinn County, the first 58 years with his family at home in Idlewild. After his mother went to be with Jesus, he moved to Niota to a group home provided by his extended family Tri-County Center. He gained independence at the age of 58 with roommates and warm loving caregivers. He became his own “boss”.
He loved country music, everything Superhero, McDonald’s Happy Meals, Christmas, and his birthday. He did not love drinking water or getting his hair washed. Those who cared for him know this well.
He will be greatly missed by his sister, Connie Bishop (Rick), brother Rickey Vaughn (Tammy), niece Meghan, nephew Taylor, great nephews Greer, Flynn, Thatcher, and great niece Monroe, his loving Aunt Loretta Bivens, a host of cousins, his Tri-County family and all the friends he made along the way.
The family can never express enough gratitude to his Tri-County family for loving and caring for him all these years. Adoration Hospice provided an invaluable service to David these past few months and the family will be forever grateful. Thank you, Dr. Craig Riley for the tender loving care you gave David for so many years.
Smile through the tears when you think of David. Picture him sitting cross-legged listening to Johnny Cash, eating his Happy Meal, wearing his Superman t-shirt, and straightening his hundreds of CDs.
The family invites you to say “see you later” to David on Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. at Ziegler Funeral Home. A short service will follow with Rev. Greg Hutsell officiating. Interment will follow the service at Idlewild Cemetery.
If you cannot attend the visitation or funeral service, you can sign the online registry at: www.zieglerfuneralhome.com
Ziegler Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of David Wesley Vaughn.