Richard Douglas (Doug) Vaughan

Richard Douglas (Doug) Vaughan, 76, a lifelong resident of Forsyth County, died on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014 and entered heaven with a healed body, perfect vision, a renewed sense of humor, and a worshipful spirit of his Lord, Jesus Christ.



He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nancy Holmes (Yarbrough) Vaughan, who he met while the two were students at Forsyth County High School. They married on June 21, 1958. In addition to Nancy, Doug is survived by sons, Rev. Scott Douglas (Vicki) Vaughan, of Lexington, SC, Col. Timothy Richard (Kate) Vaughan (USAF), of Bowling Green, KY, Russell Edward (Michele) Vaughan, of Cumming, and, daughter, Leigh Ann (Kelly) Vaughan Roberts, of Cumming; grandchildren, Andrew Douglas Vaughan, of Columbia, SC, William Donald Vaughan, of Arlington, VA, Richard Charles Vaughan and Matthew Edward Vaughan, both of Lexington, SC, Paul Michael Vaughan, of Cumming, Jacob Richard Vaughan and Jessica Kathleen Vaughan, both of Bowling Green, KY, and Emilee Joy Roberts, of Cumming; step-grandchildren, Keenan Riley Aldrich, Lakelee Paige Aldrich, and Connor David Aldrich, all of Cumming; sister, Diane Vaughan (Jerry) Bagley, of Blairsville, GA; brother-in-law, Paul Edward "Buddy" (Joyce) Yarbrough Jr, of Cumming, and many nieces and nephews. He loved his miniature schnauzer, Lady.



Doug was born Aug. 4, 1938 to the late R.C. and Kathryn (McFarland) Vaughan of the Big Creek community of south Forsyth County. He attended Big Creek School, was a member of the first graduating class from Forsyth County High School, and, later, graduated from Lanier Technical College, studying refrigeration. With his family, he was an integral part of the start and success of Vaughan Sausage Company. After leaving the farm's employment, he worked for General Heating & Air Company in Doraville, Poe Heating & Air Conditioning, and retired as director of maintenance for the Forsyth County School System. For more than 40 years he helped many homeowners with heating and air conditioning solutions through his company, Doug Vaughan Enterprises.



Doug accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior as a boy, attending revival services at Brookwood Baptist Church on Brookwood Road, in Forsyth County. He was baptized by immersion, following in the example of Jesus Christ. Following marriage, he joined the First Baptist Church of Cumming, where he was a member for 55 years. He served the church, at times, as a children's Sunday School teacher, building and grounds committee member, usher, and was an ordained deacon. He was faithful to attend and loved Sunday School classes, where he was asked spirited questions and offered many opinions. He was well-read in Scripture.



As a young man, he was active in the Forsyth County Jaycees through which he was responsible for bringing the first fair to Forsyth County and helped launch the Junior Miss Scholarship Program. He coached all three of his sons in Forsyth County baseball. He was also a supporter of the Forsyth County High School Band Boosters organization.



Doug was an avid lifelong sportsman, who loved deer hunting, becoming proficient with firearms and bows, and made his own black powder guns. He loved fishing, especially trout fishing in the north Georgia mountains. There was no place he would rather be than sitting in the woods, enjoying the flora and the fauna of God's great creation. Doug also loved traveling, water and snow skiing, and visiting historical sites, especially those out West. He was always reading, usually one of hundreds of western novels that he owned. He appreciated the culture of Native Americans. He loved and cussed, with equal fervor, both the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Falcons, and called himself a Georgia Tech football fan.



Doug was a skilled vegetable and flower gardener, and enjoyed annual trips with friends to purchase daylillies. He could repair almost anything, and was gifted as a craftsman. In retirement, he built a three-car garage and remodeled a large part of his home.



Doug loved his family, and enjoyed attending the sporting, dance and theatre productions of his grandchildren. He was a great encourager of his sons and daughter, always expecting the best from them and serving, along with Nancy, as their great cheerleaders.



Services will be Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 1597 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA. Dr. Bob Jolly and Rev. Scott Vaughan will officiate services. Interment will follow at Sawnee View Memorial Gardens, Cumming. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, Aug. 9, from 5-8 p.m. and on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.



In lieu of flowers, the family requests a financial contribution to support the First Baptist Church of Cumming KidsTown Children's Ministry building fund.



Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.



Condolences may be made at www.ingramfuneralhome.com.