Dr. James Miller Vaughn

Memorial services for Dr. James Miller Vaughn, 94, Tyler, a local philanthropist and TJC Board of Trustees member, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, July 7, at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Stuart Baskin officiating.

Dr. Vaughn died Wednesday, July 4, 2007, at home in Tyler.

Dr. Vaughn had his hand in many goings-on in the Tyler area, and his legacy in Tyler will live on long after his death, friends and family said.

"Dr. Vaughn was a great friend of Tyler and his loss will be deeply felt by everyone in our community. He's been involved in so many life-enhancing opportunities throughout the community," said Dr. William R. Crowe, president of Tyler Junior College.

As for his close friends, Vaughn's passing reminded them of a man who will leave a lasting impression.

"Besides being a fine and caring doctor, he was generous, loved life and his numerous friends," said Jack Flock, a longtime friend of Vaughn. "I was privileged to serve with him on the TJC board of trustees as well as on the First Federal Savings and Loan board. I feel a great sense of loss, and I'm saddened to lose our dear friend."

On June 2, Vaughn and his wife of 70 years, Bonna Bess Vaughn, Tyler, celebrated another anniversary with a reception at their home.

Together they had two children, James M. Vaughn Jr. and wife Salle Warner Vaughn of Houston, and daughter, Bette Barton Vaughn Benton of Houston; grandchildren, Virginia and Geoffrey Angulo of Houston, Britt and Elaine Benton of Austin, Blake and Stacey Benton of Houston; and seven great-grandchildren.

Born Oct. 23, 1912, in Tyler, Vaughn, son of Edgar H. and Lillie Mae Miller Vaughn, was educated in Tyler schools, attending Tyler Junior College, The University of Texas at Austin, and University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, where he received his B.S. and M.D. in 1937. He was a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy, and was an EENT physician for 50 years. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, and was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar H. and Lillie Mae Miller Vaughn, and son-in-law, Matthew Hall Benton III.

He was a member of the Smith County Medical Association of which he was past president; past chief of staff at Medical Center Hospital; past chairman of the Board of Texas Eastern School of Nursing; and past president of East Texas Hospital Foundation.

He received several awards, including Tyler Junior College's First Distinguished Alumni Award in 1962, Texas Eastern School of Nursing's 1977 "Doctor of the Year" award, UTMB's Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1977, "People of Vision" award in 1984, UTT's Award of Patriot of the Year in 1989, and 1993's T.B. Butler Award as Tyler's Most Outstanding Citizen.

He was serving on the foundation boards of Trinity Mother Frances Health System, East Texas Medical Center, University of Texas Health Center at Tyler, and Member Emeritus on the Board of The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston at the time of his death.

He served on the Tyler Junior College Board 46 years, and served as Director Emeritus on the Tyler Junior College Foundation. He became a member of the Chancellor's Council of The University of Texas in 1974.

As a businessman, Vaughn was the former director for the Lone Star Steel Company of Dallas, The Peoples Life Insurance Company of Tyler, InterFirst Bank, Tyler, and General American Oil Co. of Dallas. He was a longtime director of the First Federal Savings and Loan; and director of the Vaughn Foundation, Dr. Vaughn gave generous amounts of money to both TJC and UT Tyler.

Honorary pallbearers are Jack Flock, Mic Alleman, Jeff Buford, Chester Vaughn, Bob Faulkner and Rod Mabry.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to charity of choice.