Jerry R. Vaughan Jr.

Jerry R. Vaughan, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family on October 1, 2009, at the age of 92. He was born on Irish Ridge in Forney, Texas, on July 26, 1917. A member of the Class of 1938, Jerry graduated from Texas A&M University in 1939 with a bachelor of science in petroleum engineering and as a commissioned officer in the field artillery. Upon graduation, he began a 47-year career with Sun Oil Company (Sunoco) that was only interrupted by a call to active duty by the U.S. Army from 1944-1946. He served as a training officer in the United States and escorted occupation troops to Japan. He was discharged from the Army with the rank of captain in 1946 and then resumed his career in production with Sun Oil Company in Evansville, Ind.

He met his future wife of 66 years, Helen, in Murray, Ky., while stationed at Camp Tyson in Paris, Tenn. They were married in Santa Monica, Calif., where Jerry was serving with a barrage balloon battalion. Jerry and Helen have been residents of The Holiday Retirement Village for the past four years.

Jerry dedicated his time as the founding member and past president of the local chapter of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, member of American Petroleum Institute in which he received a citation of service, member of Illinois Basin Oil & Gas Association, founder and past president of Sun Oil Tri-State Retirees club, Knights of Columbus, and active member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church. In recognition of their longtime service as parishioners, they were inducted into the Brute Society. As a devoted member of The Association of Former Students of Texas A&M University, he founded the local chapter and organized the annual Aggie Muster.

Jerry's priority was his family, especially doing for his grandchildren and others. He will be remembered as the ultimate handyman and taking personal requests at meal time. He is survived by his wife, Helen Callahan Vaughan; children, Jerry Stephen of Evansville, John (Andrea) of Clarendon Hills, Ill., Richard (Lee) of Carthage, Ind., Patricia (Bill) Theby of Evansville, Ind., and Catherine of Evansville; brother-in-law, Robert Seay of Austin, Texas; former daughter in-law and friend, Dr. Darlene Vaughan of Indianapolis; grandchildren, Robert (Jill) Vaughan, Susan (Randy) Dolinsky, Ashley (Patrick) Vaughan Stroebel, J.R. (Amanda) Vaughan, Matthew (Diane) Theby, Taylor (Lara Sterenberg) Vaughan, David Theby, Katie Vaughan, Julie Vaughan; eight treasured great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry and Julia Vaughan, of Forney, Texas; and sisters Marie (Charles) Clark and Rita Seay.

A special thank you to the staff at Holiday Retirement Village and Heritage Hospice for their kindness and compassion. In addition, a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Richard Murray and Dr. Chester Higdon and their respective staffs.

Visitation was held from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Ziemer Funeral Home, Central Chapel, 626 First Avenue, Evansville, IN, with a Memorial Service at 7 p.m.

Visitation will continue today 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 918 W. Mill Road. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic with Father Paul Ferguson and Father Ralph Schipp officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 4770 Covert Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714; Holy Rosary Church, 1301 S. Green River Road, Evansville, IN 47714; or Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 918 W. Mill Rd, Evansville, IN 47710.

Condolences may be made to the family online at www. ziemerfuneralhome.com.