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Gary Edward Vaughn
05/25/1947 — 09/15/2007
From Benton, City, WA, US | Born in Ashland, Ohio
Gary Edward Vaughn
Our Gary slipped into Gods loving arms leaving us with a huge hole that will never be filled. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to all he met. His gentleness and love of life touched many.
He was an Air Force vet, former member of an Ohio Masonic and Eastern Star chapter and held the order of Knight Templar. His love of helping people was shown during his Optical career. He had magic hands that could adjust a pair of glasses to fit like a glove.
Gary is survived by his wife, Emma; son, Chad; grandson, Andrew; granddaughter, Madi; sisters, Betty Lou and Mary of Ohio; numerous nieces and nephews and friends that cant be numbered.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother and brother.
Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 19, 2007, in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be at Einans Funeral Home from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers, we would like donations to be made in his name to Kadlec ICC Unit or send to PO Box 471, Benton City 99320 so that the family can forward to Kadlec.
I will miss my wonderful and loving uncle Gary! He did so many special things for me throughout the years. He bought me my first dozen roses for my 16th birthday. He flew out to Missouri to visit me when I was sad and down and homesick. During that visit he rented a Mustang to drive and even let me drive it! My uncle Gary loved life and loved to make the women in his life feel like the most special and important women in the whole world!
My prayers are with you Emma and Chad! I love you both.
Emma and Chad-
You know how much I always thought of Gary there will be an empty place now in my heart. I have been remembering all the things that Gary and Ronnie used to get into and it makes me smile. Remember their fishing trips that produced no fish whatsoever. I know that this is the hardest thing that you will ever go through, but hang in there, trust in God, let people help. If you need anything just call. Love, Glor, Carrie, and Carolina
gary was always there for us,many fond memories of eating supper on rt 96 shelby with him and emma
Emma and Chad,
My thoughts and prayers are with you both, My fondest memory of Gray is of playing volley ball with him, my chest still hurts. I have an optical coffee cup he gave to me when I lived on Bailey Dr. It has a big chip in it and the handle has been glued back on twice, but it is still my favorite. I will miss him.
Love to both of you,
Pam and Ed
The obituary says it so well, I don’t think there is anything I could add. But we love you all and will sorely miss Gary. He had such an influence on our children and really on us as well. He was a champion for life and all that it could hold. We are all a little better off for knowing him.
Gary, I hope you have a good game of euchre going with Dad and Ronnie along with a huge heavenly cup of coffee and a million dark Milky Way bars to go with it. We’ll see ya later!
Sissy and Chad,
I’m so sorry I could not make it, I did try. I wanted to be there for you and to say goodbye to Gary. I guess I’ll just have to wait for that great reunion day! I’m looking forward to it more and more. I can only pray that I have an impact on a life like you have had on mine. You know how to make others feel special. The time, the flowers, the fun, and the tears. I cherish them all!
Sissy, you and Gary are such an inspuration and encouragement to me. You’ve got such a special place in my heart, not even death can steal it away.
Your love for each other is one that could only be compared to Christ’s love for us. And, I hope to one day love my work as much as Gary did. He was so good at it because he loved it so much, and it showed.
You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow and Wednesday.
I love you Gary!
Gwyn
Dear Emma, Chad, Andrew & Madi,
Memories of Gary live within us and because of that he will never die. He is at peace, we cry for ourself and the world without him. He’s resting in our Lord’s arms.
Gary Edward’s optimistic outlook and attitude toward life was inborn from the moment he entered this world until the end. He fought to the very end in order to stay with Emma and those he loved.
I held him as a newborn and know what a lusty, curious, loving boy he became. When he wanted and needed to make money, Gary would go door to door selling what ever he could find to peddle. Orange St & Sixth Avenue was his training area for his future profession. Poppy said that he never saw a boy so unafraid, one that knew no stranger.
As his sister, I can say he could be a pest and make me angry, but he could smile, call me Sis, and the storm would blow over. He would never want us to make him a saint, but he made himself a Godly, caring man that I was proud to call my brother.
He was compassionate. I will always remember and be thankful when he would stay with Paul, so I could take a break.
He had the job of videoing Max and my wedding and did a pretty good job, once he stopped shooting the floor!!!!
Mary Lee and I will always remember what a good time we had on our Once in a Lifetime Visit with you. Emma, I think Gary and Mary Lee thought you and I were turning into winos!!!!! .
He was so proud of you, Chad, Andrew and Maddy!
You carried in our hearts and prayers.
Love as ever, Max and Betty
Gary and I were friends going back to Jr High and the Liberty Park swimming pool days. After he got out of the service, we kinda lost track of each other until maybe 20 years ago or so when I was getting ready to leave for work around 7:30 a.m. and my lens fell out of my eyeglasses. I flipped open the yellow pages and saw Shawnee Optical and called to see if just maybe they were open. A pleasant voice said no but stop by and I’ll unlock the door and we’ll get you to work on time. The man opening the door was Gary! He fixed my glasses, we chatted for a bit and off I went to work, being ever so grateful. Then a few years ago my Mom passed away and I received an on-line condolence from Gary! He had moved but kept up with our local paper. He truly is a very sweet and kind person. He was so proud of his family and sent pictures of his grandchildren. As teens a bunch of us would often sit around and look at the moon and wonder if anyone would ever land up there. Then we would try to find faces in the moon. It was a silly, funny little game. Gary, I will miss you and I’m so glad we were friends. When I look at the moon I will be seeing you. No more sorrow, no more pain. Rest in peace, Gary.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
We are so sorry to hear about Uncle Gary you are in our hearts and prayers. Please if you need anything don’t hesitate to call. Emma Dylan will always remember his Dylan dollars and he holds them very close to heart. Love Ya always
Matt, Tammy, Dylan and Dustin Powers
Emma,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones. I worked with Gary at Dr D’S office. Gary always had something nice to say that would brighten your day.
I will forever remember him.
Love…Lorena
I just want to start out and let you know something you all already know. Gary is and was a fabulous man with a HUGE heart. He always cared about everybody elses problems and took his own sickness with a grain of salt. He is one of the strongest men I know to have gone through as many years as he has in pain and in and out of the hospital to get himself “better”. Or as better as he was gonna get. But all along, he kept on truckin, because that is Gary. He never let himself get down about his own issues, but sure tried to brighten your day up when your sad or not having such a great day. Or if your sick he was trying to tell you to get yourself to the doctor to get better. I met Gary when I worked at Opti-craft. I was his Key account rep and I thuroughly enjoyed dealing with Gary and taking care of his needs. Gary you will be missed very much. To the family all I can say is yes Gary will be missed tremendously, but NEVER forgotten. He touched too many lives to forget him. He is now living with out pain and can enjoy his new life. My prayers are with you all. Love Ronda Taylor
I wish you comfort and peace at this sad time. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. I haven’t seen Gary since we were kids, but he was a good person even then.
Sincerly,
Regina Ray Floyd
Tuesday mornings will never be the same. Every week Gary brought his dry sense of humor to cheer us up. He was always very friendly and helpful to us all. Probably the whole staff had their glasses adjusted by him at least once. He spoke of how great his staff and family took care of him. His eyes would light up when he spoke of his grandchildren. Our condolences to the family, we could tell he loved you all very much.
Gary, we will miss you.
The Staff at Option Care
All our love and prayers go out to Gary’s family. We will greatly miss his friendly greetings and humor when we go in to see Dr Depew. At long last Gary is at peace and his suffering is over. A wonderous man all the way around.
Gary was special in a way that very few people are anymore. He was a gentleman, a great friend, someone to laugh with, someone who understood, and so much more. The world will be a very different place without him. I worked with him for just over a year, and he made every single day better. He reminded me that I was important in a time when I felt I wasn’t. I hope he knows how important he was to everyone who met him. God bless him… I take comfort in knowing that his struggle was long and hard, and though he went through it bravely and with a smile, that he can now finally rest in peace.
Dearest Emma,
Though we’ve never met I felt that Gary and I should really have been brother and sister rather than first cousins. How funny that we could pass each other on the street and not know the other yet we were so much a like it was eerie. I loved him like a brother and will miss him. I wish you didn’t have to go through such a loss but know that there are many of us who will love and keep you in our prayers. God bless you and your family in your time of need.
Your Cousin in Az.,
Pam Richmond
Gary, You were my friend first, then my boss. I have always respected you, your outlook in life,your strenght, your love for your work and your patience with me when I broke my first pair of glasses. I will never forget you and everything that you have meant to me.
love
Anita
Emma and family,
My prayers are with you in your time of sorrow. Gary was the greatest, and so compassionate. I loved every day I worked with Gary, he could always make you laugh even when he was the one that wasn’t feeling well. I loved his positive spirit, and the way patients come in just to say hi, not really needing his service, but needing the way Gary made you feel! Many days I came by the office just to get my upbeat FIX for the day! Gary will be missed by many. Emma he always told me how much he loved you, and his face would “light up” when your name came to our conversations. May you and your family be blessed and comforted by our wonderful God in Heaven.
Love always,
Brenda Smith
Dear Emma,
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. It had been many years since I had seen Gary and I’m sure he will be missed by everyone.
Your cousin in New Mexico
Beverly Colbert
Emma,
Now that the dust is starting to settle, we wanted to stop and say a few words to you. Gary was an inspiration to everyone who he met, and especially to us. When I stopped by to see him, no matter what state he was in, he always was concerned about Laura, rather than himself. We all will leave a mark on this world when we leave it, and Gary’s legacy will always be the love he shared with people whether he knew them or not. You know, Jesus said that we should love our brothers as ourselves, and Gary lived those words. Emma, my door is always open for you, if you need help with all the paperwork or there are matters you need direction with, please feel free to call me anytime. Ted..
Emma and Chad, I am so thankful that I got to meet and share with you. Gary means a lot to me and I miss him. I consider myself one of the lucky ones to be a recipiant of Gary’s friendship-he had so many gifts. I have learned, laughed and cried with Gary and I will treasure it. You will both be in my thoughts and prayers-Thank you.
Emma and Chad, I was very fortunate to have worked with Gary and will truely miss his sincere sweetness, kindness, thoughtfulness and his crazy humor.I always looked forward to seeing him and learning from him. He had so much to give and he shared with everyone. Gary will be missed but never forgotten, he was such a special friend. My prayers are with you and your family.
Emma
Please accept my sincere condolences on losing Gary.
I will be thinking of you and your family and will keep you in my prayers.
Margie
I will miss my wonderful and loving uncle Gary! He did so many special things for me throughout the years. He bought me my first dozen roses for my 16th birthday. He flew out to Missouri to visit me when I was sad and down and homesick. During that visit he rented a Mustang to drive and even let me drive it! My uncle Gary loved life and loved to make the women in his life feel like the most special and important women in the whole world!
My prayers are with you Emma and Chad! I love you both.
Emma and Chad-
You know how much I always thought of Gary there will be an empty place now in my heart. I have been remembering all the things that Gary and Ronnie used to get into and it makes me smile. Remember their fishing trips that produced no fish whatsoever. I know that this is the hardest thing that you will ever go through, but hang in there, trust in God, let people help. If you need anything just call. Love, Glor, Carrie, and Carolina
gary was always there for us,many fond memories of eating supper on rt 96 shelby with him and emma
Emma and Chad,
My thoughts and prayers are with you both, My fondest memory of Gray is of playing volley ball with him, my chest still hurts. I have an optical coffee cup he gave to me when I lived on Bailey Dr. It has a big chip in it and the handle has been glued back on twice, but it is still my favorite. I will miss him.
Love to both of you,
Pam and Ed
The obituary says it so well, I don’t think there is anything I could add. But we love you all and will sorely miss Gary. He had such an influence on our children and really on us as well. He was a champion for life and all that it could hold. We are all a little better off for knowing him.
Gary, I hope you have a good game of euchre going with Dad and Ronnie along with a huge heavenly cup of coffee and a million dark Milky Way bars to go with it. We’ll see ya later!
Sissy and Chad,
I’m so sorry I could not make it, I did try. I wanted to be there for you and to say goodbye to Gary. I guess I’ll just have to wait for that great reunion day! I’m looking forward to it more and more. I can only pray that I have an impact on a life like you have had on mine. You know how to make others feel special. The time, the flowers, the fun, and the tears. I cherish them all!
Sissy, you and Gary are such an inspuration and encouragement to me. You’ve got such a special place in my heart, not even death can steal it away.
Your love for each other is one that could only be compared to Christ’s love for us. And, I hope to one day love my work as much as Gary did. He was so good at it because he loved it so much, and it showed.
You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow and Wednesday.
I love you Gary!
Gwyn
Dear Emma, Chad, Andrew & Madi,
Memories of Gary live within us and because of that he will never die. He is at peace, we cry for ourself and the world without him. He’s resting in our Lord’s arms.
Gary Edward’s optimistic outlook and attitude toward life was inborn from the moment he entered this world until the end. He fought to the very end in order to stay with Emma and those he loved.
I held him as a newborn and know what a lusty, curious, loving boy he became. When he wanted and needed to make money, Gary would go door to door selling what ever he could find to peddle. Orange St & Sixth Avenue was his training area for his future profession. Poppy said that he never saw a boy so unafraid, one that knew no stranger.
As his sister, I can say he could be a pest and make me angry, but he could smile, call me Sis, and the storm would blow over. He would never want us to make him a saint, but he made himself a Godly, caring man that I was proud to call my brother.
He was compassionate. I will always remember and be thankful when he would stay with Paul, so I could take a break.
He had the job of videoing Max and my wedding and did a pretty good job, once he stopped shooting the floor!!!!
Mary Lee and I will always remember what a good time we had on our Once in a Lifetime Visit with you. Emma, I think Gary and Mary Lee thought you and I were turning into winos!!!!! .
He was so proud of you, Chad, Andrew and Maddy!
You carried in our hearts and prayers.
Love as ever, Max and Betty
Gary and I were friends going back to Jr High and the Liberty Park swimming pool days. After he got out of the service, we kinda lost track of each other until maybe 20 years ago or so when I was getting ready to leave for work around 7:30 a.m. and my lens fell out of my eyeglasses. I flipped open the yellow pages and saw Shawnee Optical and called to see if just maybe they were open. A pleasant voice said no but stop by and I’ll unlock the door and we’ll get you to work on time. The man opening the door was Gary! He fixed my glasses, we chatted for a bit and off I went to work, being ever so grateful. Then a few years ago my Mom passed away and I received an on-line condolence from Gary! He had moved but kept up with our local paper. He truly is a very sweet and kind person. He was so proud of his family and sent pictures of his grandchildren. As teens a bunch of us would often sit around and look at the moon and wonder if anyone would ever land up there. Then we would try to find faces in the moon. It was a silly, funny little game. Gary, I will miss you and I’m so glad we were friends. When I look at the moon I will be seeing you. No more sorrow, no more pain. Rest in peace, Gary.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
We are so sorry to hear about Uncle Gary you are in our hearts and prayers. Please if you need anything don’t hesitate to call. Emma Dylan will always remember his Dylan dollars and he holds them very close to heart. Love Ya always
Matt, Tammy, Dylan and Dustin Powers
Emma,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones. I worked with Gary at Dr D’S office. Gary always had something nice to say that would brighten your day.
I will forever remember him.
Love…Lorena
I just want to start out and let you know something you all already know. Gary is and was a fabulous man with a HUGE heart. He always cared about everybody elses problems and took his own sickness with a grain of salt. He is one of the strongest men I know to have gone through as many years as he has in pain and in and out of the hospital to get himself “better”. Or as better as he was gonna get. But all along, he kept on truckin, because that is Gary. He never let himself get down about his own issues, but sure tried to brighten your day up when your sad or not having such a great day. Or if your sick he was trying to tell you to get yourself to the doctor to get better. I met Gary when I worked at Opti-craft. I was his Key account rep and I thuroughly enjoyed dealing with Gary and taking care of his needs. Gary you will be missed very much. To the family all I can say is yes Gary will be missed tremendously, but NEVER forgotten. He touched too many lives to forget him. He is now living with out pain and can enjoy his new life. My prayers are with you all. Love Ronda Taylor
I wish you comfort and peace at this sad time. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. I haven’t seen Gary since we were kids, but he was a good person even then.
Sincerly,
Regina Ray Floyd
Tuesday mornings will never be the same. Every week Gary brought his dry sense of humor to cheer us up. He was always very friendly and helpful to us all. Probably the whole staff had their glasses adjusted by him at least once. He spoke of how great his staff and family took care of him. His eyes would light up when he spoke of his grandchildren. Our condolences to the family, we could tell he loved you all very much.
Gary, we will miss you.
The Staff at Option Care
All our love and prayers go out to Gary’s family. We will greatly miss his friendly greetings and humor when we go in to see Dr Depew. At long last Gary is at peace and his suffering is over. A wonderous man all the way around.
Gary was special in a way that very few people are anymore. He was a gentleman, a great friend, someone to laugh with, someone who understood, and so much more. The world will be a very different place without him. I worked with him for just over a year, and he made every single day better. He reminded me that I was important in a time when I felt I wasn’t. I hope he knows how important he was to everyone who met him. God bless him… I take comfort in knowing that his struggle was long and hard, and though he went through it bravely and with a smile, that he can now finally rest in peace.
Dearest Emma,
Though we’ve never met I felt that Gary and I should really have been brother and sister rather than first cousins. How funny that we could pass each other on the street and not know the other yet we were so much a like it was eerie. I loved him like a brother and will miss him. I wish you didn’t have to go through such a loss but know that there are many of us who will love and keep you in our prayers. God bless you and your family in your time of need.
Your Cousin in Az.,
Pam Richmond
Gary, You were my friend first, then my boss. I have always respected you, your outlook in life,your strenght, your love for your work and your patience with me when I broke my first pair of glasses. I will never forget you and everything that you have meant to me.
love
Anita
Emma and family,
My prayers are with you in your time of sorrow. Gary was the greatest, and so compassionate. I loved every day I worked with Gary, he could always make you laugh even when he was the one that wasn’t feeling well. I loved his positive spirit, and the way patients come in just to say hi, not really needing his service, but needing the way Gary made you feel! Many days I came by the office just to get my upbeat FIX for the day! Gary will be missed by many. Emma he always told me how much he loved you, and his face would “light up” when your name came to our conversations. May you and your family be blessed and comforted by our wonderful God in Heaven.
Love always,
Brenda Smith
Dear Emma,
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. It had been many years since I had seen Gary and I’m sure he will be missed by everyone.
Your cousin in New Mexico
Beverly Colbert
Emma,
Now that the dust is starting to settle, we wanted to stop and say a few words to you. Gary was an inspiration to everyone who he met, and especially to us. When I stopped by to see him, no matter what state he was in, he always was concerned about Laura, rather than himself. We all will leave a mark on this world when we leave it, and Gary’s legacy will always be the love he shared with people whether he knew them or not. You know, Jesus said that we should love our brothers as ourselves, and Gary lived those words. Emma, my door is always open for you, if you need help with all the paperwork or there are matters you need direction with, please feel free to call me anytime. Ted..
Emma and Chad, I am so thankful that I got to meet and share with you. Gary means a lot to me and I miss him. I consider myself one of the lucky ones to be a recipiant of Gary’s friendship-he had so many gifts. I have learned, laughed and cried with Gary and I will treasure it. You will both be in my thoughts and prayers-Thank you.
Emma and Chad, I was very fortunate to have worked with Gary and will truely miss his sincere sweetness, kindness, thoughtfulness and his crazy humor.I always looked forward to seeing him and learning from him. He had so much to give and he shared with everyone. Gary will be missed but never forgotten, he was such a special friend. My prayers are with you and your family.
Emma
Please accept my sincere condolences on losing Gary.
I will be thinking of you and your family and will keep you in my prayers.
Margie
Emma,
Our deepest sympathy goes to you from Shiloh Lodge #544.
Brother Matt Powers, one of our newest members informed us of Gary,s health problem.
Chuck Briggs Sec.
Dear Gary,
I’m sure if they have email in heaven you will figure out how to use it. Thank you for finding my first car for $35, thank you for letting me live at your house when I needed it, thank you for showing me that a hot fudge sundae was a hundred times better with butter pecan ice cream, and thank you for that beautiful smile that lit up your face, but you only heard a small chuckle. I will miss you my friend.
Love you, Debbie
Gary was one of my best friends. Gary is the person responsible for finding my perfect wife Anne Elizabeth Riedner! I like his jokes, his voice, his outlook on life and his confidence in everything he did. I cannot list everything he helped me with but some of them were: supporting me in my life’s trials divorce, etc, he helped me get my last two jobs as he was listed as a reference and he couldn’t say enough about my computer skills, he gave me the phone number to the billing person at Columbia Crest Anne! so I could ask her out. I looked up to him as father and looked to him for fatherly advice and comfort. I learned a lot from you Gary and will miss your friendship.
Can’t tell you how much the girls at Opti-Craft will miss Gary’s voice. He always asked about our lives, and seemed to genuinely care. He built many good friendships over the phone. Gary made us laugh. Thoughts and prayers to Emma and Chad. We will truly miss our friend.
Dear Aunt Emma and Chad hope u guys are hanging in there. Uncle Gary tought me a lot. I’m sorry I havn’t gotten to see you guys. If I can be half the man uncle Gary was, I will have far exceeded my dreams. Love you all and remember, he is no longer suffering. Love Brian,Brooke,Bryce,Destinee, and Braylynn.
Guestbook for
Gary Edward Vaughn