Vaughn Gabriel ALEXANDER

1928 - 2016

ALEXANDER,
Vaughn Gabriel
Vaughn Gabriel Alexander
August 15, 1928 to
September 5, 2016.

Vaughn Alexander of Austin, Texas passed from this life peacefully at the age of 88.

Vaughn was born in Hamilton County Indiana to Winona (Achenbach) Alexander and Lester K. Alexander. He and his three brothers grew up in Elwood Indiana on his family farm.

Vaughn developed a love for learning in high school and continued to be a student well into his 80's. He attended Purdue University, Ball State University, Butler University, Texas Christian University, and The University of Chicago. He met Betty L. Wiley at Butler University in Indiana. They wed in 1954 and immediately moved to Fort Worth Texas to both attend Texas Christian University (TCU). He received his Bachelors of Arts in English and Religion from TCU in 1956. He was a student minister in Daingerfield Texas while he worked on his Master's at TCU. He purchased a small airplane to shorten the commute to Daingerfield each weekend (he already had his pilot's license). His daughter, Angela, was born in Fort Worth in January 1959 before he finished his Master's. Following his ordination from Brite Divinity School (TCU) in 1959, he became minister at the First Christian Church in Kerrville. His second daughter, Celeste, was born in Kerrville in April 1961. In 1962 he again pursued his love of learning by attending a doctoral program at The University of Chicago Divinity School. He continued to pastor for many years in churches in, and around Chicago.

His career took a different bent at the beginnings of what we now refer to as the technology age. Vaughn learned how to do computer programming at The University of Chicago "Comp Center." He worked at the University of Chicago Hospital and Clinic to set up a new-age hospital information system. Then he became the Director of Computer Systems in Medicine at the American Medical Association in Chicago. In 1975 he went on to become the first Director of the Texas Medical Foundation in Austin, Texas. Pursuing his business interest, he went on to start a new company called Health Carecard, to offer computer based services to medical and dental offices for personalized medical records which he eventually sold to American Express.

Vaughn had always had varied interests and skills. He and his brother built a truck as well as an A-Frame weekend home, he also built, developed and managed real estate throughout his life. In his younger years he did a variety of things, including becoming a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army Artillery Battalion, owning a hobby shop, and outdoor advertising company. He loved art, music, and was very well read across many disciplines. He enjoyed going to the Austin Symphony and Lyric Opera. He sang in the Austin Choral Union for many years and attended The University of Texas at Austin's Life Long Learning program, LAMP. Vaughn was always active in his church throughout the years and eventually became an elder emeritus at University Christian Church in Austin. He was a Rotarian for over 40 years, was a member of the Jungian society, and he volunteered at the Settlement Home and Micah 6.

He will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. Survivors include his two daughters, Angela Alexander Sprott and her husband Rick Sprott and Dr. Celeste Alexander and her husband Dr. Rick Nauert. Grandchildren: Luke Gretchen and his son Rhys, Melissa and her husband Stephen Barron, their daughters Mackenzie Rae and Alexis Caroll, Allison and her husband Matt Harris, and Garrett Van Horn. Also many step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren including Jason Sprott and his wife Rachel, Jennifer and her husband Lyle Miller and children Ashley and Kyle, Richard Nauert, Mary Nauert, and Rachel Nauert. His brother Warren Alexander and his wife Donna. Also, his many cousins, nieces, nephews, many friends, and his dear friend Helen St. Martin.

A special thanks to the Querencia Senior Living staff that cared for our father.

A memorial Celebration of Life will be held at University Christian Church, 2007 University Ave., Austin, TX 78705 (www.ucc-austin.org) on Saturday September 17, 2016 at 3:00pm with a reception to follow. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to University Christian Church, PlannedParenthood.org (1-800-798-7092), or the charity of your choice.