Charles Rex Vaughan

Charles "Rex" Vaughan, age 100, passed away peacefully at Pecan Valley Healthcare on May 24, 2014, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born in Gatesville, Texas, on September 23, 1913, to Henry Louis and Mattie Amanda Ingram Vaughan. The Henry Vaughan family moved to Dallas in 1926 and then settled in Terrell in 1928, where they lived for many years. Charles met the love of his life, Ruth Calvin, in Terrell. They were married on May 1, 1935, and remained sweethearts until her death in 2005. That same year, Charles moved to San Antonio to live with his daughter. Charles worked for many years in Terrell at the Ice Plant, where his father was chief engineer, with his father at Vaughan's Machine Shop, and for telephone company. Then came years of travel as Charles worked doing rural electrification all over the state of Texas. Looking for a place to put down new roots, Charles and his wife moved to Port Arthur in 1941, where he began a successful career as an electrician for Gulf States Utilities Company, now Entergy Corporation. With the outbreak of World War II, Charles was called to serve in the Navy Construction Battalion. When the war ended, he was honorably discharged as Chief Petty Officer. Charles and his wife returned to Port Arthur in early 1947 where he resumed work at Gulf States, from which he retired in 1978 as a valued and respected employee. Thereafter, he enjoyed many years of a healthy, productive retirement. When his wife's health began to fail in 2000, he took good care of her until her death. Charles was a man who liked to be busy. His physically active lifestyle may have contributed to his longevity. Charles enjoyed all his jobs, being with his family, working as a handyman, puttering in his garage, working in his church in many capacities, tending his garden, playing golf, singing in his choir, and visiting with his many cherished friends. A lover of animals, Charles gave up hunting as a sport in his early thirties, declaring, "I really never found any pleasure in taking a life." Among the greatest joys of his life were his two grandsons, whom he adored. Time spent with them was much treasured. If asked how he was on any given day, Charles would respond, "Best in town!" He was really at his best and happiest with his grandsons. Charles was predeceased by his beloved wife, Ruth, his parents, his sister, Ila Mae Seale of Gatesville, his brother, Lewis Clayton Vaughan of Terrell, and a baby daughter, Carolyn Ruth Vaughan. Left to mourn his passing are his only surviving child, Sandra Merrifield of San Antonio, grandsons: Patrick Merrifield of Houston, Kris Merrifield and wife, Lisa, of Schertz, and great grandson, Oliver Ray Merrifield, also of Schertz. The arrival of a great granddaughter is awaited in July. His only child will remember her parents as kind, fair , compassionate, hard working people who provided a stubborn stability to her life and a home that was always a safe harbor. Charles was the best husband, father, grandfather, worker, brother and friend that he knew how to be. Rest in peace, Daddy. I know you are singing with the angels. The family would like to thank our physician, Dr. Glen McCreless, the staff of Mission Trail Hospital, the staff of Pecan Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare and the staff of New Century Hospice for the care and comfort they gave to Charles in his last years, weeks, and days. If desired, memorial contributions in Charles Rex Vaughan's name may be made to the San Antonio Humane Society, 4804 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, Texas, 78229, or the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P. O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704-1629. Arrangements for Charles were made with Meadowlawn Funeral home in San Antonio. His remains will be laid to rest beside those of his late wife in a mausoleum at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Groves, Texas. A celebration of Charles' life will be held for family and close friends at a later date.