Timothy Michael Vaughan

Austin, TX – Timothy M. Vaughan passed away peacefully on March 30, leaving behind a life marked by resilience, curiosity, and a quiet, steady kindness. Born in Woodward, Oklahoma, on December 6, 1946, Tim grew up in Great Bend, Kansas, where he first learned to ride and care for horses—a love he later passed on to his young son.

At the age of four, Tim contracted polio, an experience that changed the course of his life and his family’s. The many ankle surgeries he endured before turning eight would seem insurmountable to most children, yet Tim met each challenge with a determination that softened rather than hardened him. Those early hardships helped form the gentleness, compassion, and empathy that became his defining qualities.

Tim found joy in words and ideas, writing poetry, thriving on the debate team and hosting a radio program at Great Bend High School. He once dreamed of studying architecture at Princeton, but when his father offered to send him to any college he chose—as long as it was in Kansas—Tim selected the University of Kansas. That choice sparked a lifelong devotion to all things Jayhawks.

At KU, he earned both his BS and MS, joined Phi Kappa Phi, and formed profound friendships. He later moved to Wichita to begin his accounting career, eventually specializing in architecture and construction firms—a fitting blend of his analytical mind and his passion for design. Men’s basketball coaches Roy Williams and Bill Self were nothing short of superheroes to him, and he loved telling the story of his great grandmother, who played basketball under James Naismith, for whom the stadium in Lawrence is named.

The Kansas Flint Hills—especially Chase County, where he once served as director of the Main Street Program—held a special and meaningful place in his heart.

Tim was predeceased by his parents, Boydine Quiring Vaughan Lightner and Donald Vaughan.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Inez Wolins; his son, Icer Vaughan (Wichita, KS); Deb Vaughan Ritter and her husband Craig (Kansas City, MO); sister-in-law Ilene Lacey (Clinton, NY); brother-in-law Ira (Estella, Philadelphia) half brother Donnie; first cousins Catherine (Scott), Keith (Linda), Kim, and Kristin (Alex) on his mother’s side; David (Jeri) and Ann on his father’s side; and a large, loving extended family of nieces, nephews, step- and great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his precious Siamese cat, Zoe, who rarely left his side.

Tim’s interests were as eclectic and vibrant as he was. He had a natural design sensibility, undoubtedly inspired by his mother and sister. He filled sketchbooks with drawings of people, Porsches, and antique race cars. He enjoyed driving and traveling abroad—especially when it meant catching a Formula 1 race—studying the history and culture of the American Southwest and immersing himself in the work of artists such as Amedeo Modigliani, Paul Gauguin, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Frank Lloyd Wright. And whenever the Rolling Stones or Carlos Santana came to town, Tim was there, savoring every moment.

Those who knew him will remember his warmth, his curiosity, his humor, and the way he made people feel seen and valued. His life was shaped by challenges but defined by grace.

Donations may be made to the Kansas Flint Hills Tallgrass Prairie Preserve at https://preserve.nature.org/page/173850/donate, or to the Williams Education Fund, which provides scholarships to student-athletes at https://kuendowment.org/memorials.