2114 West Market Street
York, Pennsylvania
YORK Charles Ray Vaught, 85, passed away on October 6, 2012, surrounded by loved ones at York Hospital. He died of heart failure. Born September 19, 1927, in Burnt Prairie, Illinois, to Orville and Cecile Vaught, he grew up in Anderson, Indiana with his two older sisters, Kathleen (Richwine) and Betty Jean. He graduated from Anderson High School in 1945 and enrolled at Purdue University where he played on the school's football team. While in college he was drafted and served two years in the Army Air Corp during World War II. Upon his discharge in 1947 he returned to Purdue and graduated in 1950 with a dual degree in Mechanical & Electrical Engineering. Charles started as an engineer at Sylvania, Inc. in 1950 spending his entire professional career with them at locations throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania, retiring in 1983 as the chief engineer of the GTE Sylvania plant on Roosevelt Avenue in York. He held three patents that were developed while working for them, including one for the development of the first halogen headlamp for automobiles. He continued to consult as an engineer until fully retiring in 1990. In 1962 he met Charlene Holtgreven of Ottawa, Ohio whom he wed on November 28, 1963. They were married for 49 years having, three children, June, Charles II and Gail, all of whom graduated from York Catholic High School. June and Gail followed in their father's footsteps, graduating from Purdue, while Charles II graduated from Carnegie Mellon. Charles was extremely active in his community in York. For over 10 years he was a Republican Committee Man for the 11th ward in the city, as well as holding multiple terms as the President of the Northwest Civic Association. He was Chairman of the Redevelopment Authority of York City which, after the devastation of hurricane Agnes struck parts of downtown York in 1972, used federal grants to buy and remodel flood-damaged homes on South Newberry Street and Newton Square beginning the "Back to the City" movement in York. Charles was a private pilot, avid bicyclist, golfer and gardener. He will be remembered and loved by his wife Charlene, his sister Kathleen Richwine of Van Buren, Ind.; his three children, June Clapham and her husband Robert H. Clapham, Jr. of Fogelsville, Charles Vaught II and his wife, Susan (Ernst) of New York City, N.Y., and Gail Vaught of Boston, Mass.; and his grandchildren, Amanda Leigh, Robert Hacker and Sarah June Clapham and Saylor Isabel Vaught. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to noon on Thursday at the John W. Keffer Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 2114 W. Market St., in York. Followed by a memorial service at noon and then burial in Holy Saviour Cemetery. Flowers can be sent to the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Charles Ray Vaught to Martin Memorial Library, 159 E. Market St., York, PA 17401 (717) 846-5300. www.KefferFH.com
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1 Entry
I extend my condolennces to Charlene and the Vaught family in Charlie's passing. It was a pleasure working with Charlie and Charlene during my 26 year tenure on the York City Council.
May God bless and keep you and that Charlie rests in peace.
Wm. Lee Smallwood
October 9, 2012
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John W. Keffer Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc. - West York2114 West Market Street, York, PA 17404
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