James Carleton Vaughn Jr.

James Carleton Vaughn, Jr, of North Augusta, was released to Heaven on Saturday, July 6th, attended by his loving family. Private interment will be held at Sunset Hill Cemetery in North Augusta. Funeral and Memorial services will be conducted on Thursday, July 11th, at 11:00 AM at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 2230 Walton Way, Augusta, Ga. The family will receive friends in the Church Parish Hall following the Service.
Carleton was the oldest child of the late James Carleton Vaughn and Mary Elizabeth Davenport Vaughn of North Augusta. He graduated in the top 10% of the Class of 1960 at North Augusta High School, while active in numerous organizations. He remained active in the Class reunions and maintained his connection with North Augusta throughout his life.
After receiving his BBA in Accounting at the University of Georgia in 1964, he earned his JD in law there in 1966, one year ahead of schedule. He served as an officer in the US Army from 1966 to 1970 in the Judge Advocate General's Corp, achieving the rank of Captain. He completed his professional education at Southern Methodist University, receiving a Master of Laws in Taxation in 1971. He was the top graduate in that program. When returning to Augusta in 1971, Carleton joined a local law firm and in 1975 he opened his own firm where he practiced law until he "mostly retired" in 2023.
Carleton was a skilled private pilot, earning his basic airman's certificate in high school. As with all his passions, he chose not just to enjoy, but to excel, earning ratings for high performance, instrument, and multi-engine aircraft. He was an avid, lifelong golfer and was an honorary member of the Augusta Golf Association where he assisted in fundraising and photo documentation of their events. For 30+ years he was a fixture at the Augusta National for Masters week. He volunteered with score reporting and was the Head of Score Reporting for the majority of those years. He enjoyed the camaraderie of the other volunteers (everyone knew Carleton) and each year worked diligently to improve the accuracy of the reporting.
Carleton participated in many nonprofit and charitable organizations throughout his life. His primary dedication was to the Exchange Club of Augusta, where his work would impact a broad range of needs in the Augusta area and provide sustained support for worthy organizations. He was a member of the Exchange Club for over 50 years and held a leadership role in all levels from Committee Chairs, Secretary, Treasurer and President. He was also recognized nationally by being bestowed "The Andrew Award" which recognizes a very few special member volunteers who work behind the scenes and do not seek personal recognition for their efforts.
Throughout his life, Carleton was a faithful Christian. In every church in which he was a member he was also a servant. He grew up in the First Baptist Church of North Augusta and received a perfect attendance pin (which included reading your lesson, bringing your Bible, and attending church and Sunday school) for 12 consecutive years until he left for college. At Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church he taught Sunday School, served as an Elder and served on numerous committees, including as the Chairman of the Search Committee. At Good Shepherd, he continued actively participating as an adult Sunday School teacher and a licensed lay Eucharistic minister.
He is survived by his beloved wife Rita (Rhea) Morgan Vaughn. He and Rhea enjoyed many happy days and evenings at the Augusta Country Club when they gathered often with friends for fellowship and dinner. Carleton enjoyed family time with Rhea's adult children - Cecelia Morgan Raines, Frances Ann Morgan Nordmann, and Herbert Lynwood Morgan. Carleton was blessed to have 3 children by his first wife (Edwina Goolsby O'Neal) - James Carleton Vaughn, III ( Marjorie), Edwin Campbell Vaughn (Kim), and Louise Vaughn Joyner. He also had grandchildren Joshua Vaughn, Stephanie Vaughn, Win Vaughn, and Cannon Joyner. He was predeceased by his wife of 25 years - Billie Leigh Holding Vaughn. During those years he actively participated in the rearing of Billie's children - John William Thornton, IV, Andrew Holding Thornton, MD, Bradford Hunt Thornton, and Virginia Thornton Merrill. He is survived by his sister Elizabeth Davenport Sharpe, MD and her husband Kenneth Allan Sharpe, MD and their 3 children – Robert Allan Sharpe, MD (Abby), Emily Davenport Eling, RN (Adam) and Sarah Pennell Sharpe. He is pre-deceased by his sister Mary Louise Vaughn Vallotton (Maxwell) and survived by her 2 children, Joseph Maxwell Vallotton, Jr. (Allison) and Elizabeth Vallotton Yarbrough (Jim). It would be hard to remiss not mentioning Holly Barrie (Rod) who worked with Carleton for 48 years and is as much of a part of his family as anyone.
Carleton's presence will be missed by his many friends and colleagues whose lives he touched. His family certainly will miss his earthly presence, but are comforted knowing he is in the arms of our Loving Lord.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Exchange Club of Augusta Charity Fund, PO Box 3884, Augusta, GA 30914 or to the Church of the Good Shepherd. The Exchange Club of Augusta will be honorary pallbearers.
Posey Funeral Directors of North Augusta is in charge of arrangements (803-278-1181).