Raymond Chestly Vaughn

VAUGHN----Chief Raymond Chestly Vaughn (USN. Ret.), 87, of Orange Park, FL passed away on January 18, 2018. He was born July 1, 1930 in Ducktown, Tennessee to the late George Washington and Bertha Adele Vaughn. Raymond honorably served our country in the United States Navy, retiring after 23 years of service. His Naval career started in Knoxville, TN. His career included Parachute Rigger, Hurricane Hunter, Recruiter, and Career Counselor. He was assigned to NAS: Miami, FL; Pensacola, FL; Lakehurst, NJ; Patuxent River, MD; Quonset Point, RI; Oceana, VA; Miramar, CA; San Diego, CA; and Richmond, KY. He served aboard the USS Lake Champlain in the Mediterranean Sea and Southern Europe, USS Roosevelt in the Caribbean Area, USS Intrepid in the Northern Atlantic, and USS Constellation in the Western Pacific. His Final Naval station was Jacksonville, FL. He was awarded the Naval Unit Citation, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for operations in the Gulf of Tonkin and Viet Nam, the fourth award Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. After the Navy, he worked for 10 years in the Insurance industry for companies such as John Hancock and Transamerica. He was then employed by Mike Shad Ford for many years. He finally settled at Baron Oil for 13 years, retiring in 1998 to take care of his ailing wife, Ruth until she passed in 2004. He loved his family and did not know a stranger. He was a member of the Moose Lodge, The VFW, the Civitan, and the Eagles. Raymond enjoyed playing cards, telling jokes, and many stories about his time in the Navy. Raymond is preceded in death by his parents, 4 sisters, 2 brother, and loving wife of 55 years, Ruth Vaughn. He is survived by brother, Larry K. Vaughn (Missy); his 2 Daughters, Joyce Ann Freeman (Charles) and Mary V. Meredith; 2 granddaughters, Dawn Jaeger (Johnathan), and Jane Meredith (Rae); grandson, Robert J. Coffey; 2 great-grandsons, William R-C Carlson (Laura) and Evan M. Jaeger; and 2 Great-great-granddaughters, Jenna and Lindsay. As well as many extended family consisting of Nieces, Nephews, and friends. Raymond was dearly loved and will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Raymond will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Ruth.