Gary M. Vaughn, 83, retired USCG, of Plant City, died Oct 17, 2014.
He was born in 1931, in Chancellor, Alabama. He was a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and retired in 1977 after 30 years of service.
After retirement, he earned a horticulture degree from Hillsborough Community College and began working in the wholesale nursery business, including a position with James Ranch. He was in charge of the plant nursery and discovered that he loved working and teaching the young people.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Clare; children, Valerie Polding (Dave), Victoria Vaughn, Preston M. Vaughn and Thomas Vaughn; grandsons, Preston F. Vaughn and Joshua Vaughn; pride and joy, great-grandson, Jameson Mark Vaughn; sisters, Gloria Varnadore (Leland), Joann Godwin (Frank), Gay Glover (Chris) and Rhonda Brownlee (Dirk); and many nephews and nieces who loved “Uncle Gary.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, Preston and Katherin Vaughn; sisters, Eunice Garner and Diana Gohr; and beloved niece, Heather Varnadore.
A celebration of life was held Oct. 21, at Hopewell Funeral Home. Interment with military honors followed at Hopewell Memorial Gardens.
Condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.