Thomas Paul Vaughan, 68, of the Soledad Mission District, passed away after a brief illness on Monday, May 17, 2021 with his sons and daughter-in-law by his side. He was born in Salinas on November 22, 1952. Tommy was the second child of eight children born to Paul and Alice Vaughan of the Soledad Mission District.
He attended Mission Union Elementary and Gonzales High School. In 1971 he joined the U.S. Coast Guard. He did his basic training on Alameda Island, and his first tour of active duty in the state of Washington. He was stationed in Monterey Bay while in the Reserves.
He began farming on the family ranch at a young age, and continued farming with his Dad and brothers for most of his adult life.
Growing up in the Mission District with such a big family, there was never a dull moment. As the eldest boy, Tommy led the family in all types of fun and mischief. He and his brothers would spend days outside, when they weren't working, building treehouses, forts, riding bikes and motorcycles all over the place. They made up half of the Mission Acorns little league team! He loved games, such as Pedro, Cribbage, Backgammon, Yahtzee, cards, you name it. And he was good, often winning, rarely losing. He taught some of his younger siblings (including his sisters) how to throw a ball, how to drive a stick shift and a tractor.
He was an active Mission 4-H and Gonzales FFA member, then later became a dedicated 4-H leader. Tommy was on the Mission School Board of Trustees for several years. He was an active member of American Legion Post 32 in Soledad, where he proudly served for many years.
While the Mission-Soledad community benefitted from these leadership roles, nothing compared to Tommy's BBQ skills. He had a passion for serving his community by barbequing for anyone who needed his help. If you've been lucky enough to have BBQ at the Soledad Mission, Our Lady of Solitude Church, the American Legion, or countless other get-togethers in the area, he was likely there, behind the pit, with his team of skilled grilling buddies to create the best chicken and ribs this valley has ever tasted.
He was an incredibly generous and kind person, with many lifelong friends who meant a great deal to him.
Above all else, Tommy was proudest of his two sons, Nicholas and Zachary. He was a dedicated and involved Dad, who taught his boys values and skills that they will carry throughout their lives.
Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Alice Vaughan. He is survived by his sons, Nicholas (Sara), Zachary (Ashley), granddaughter (Haley), and siblings Janie Headley (Tim), Curtis (Janet), Bill (Marsha), Tim, Nancy (Greg), Kevin (Barbara) and Kerry (John). He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Private visitation will be held at the Soledad Mission Chapel on Thursday, March 27th from 6-8 pm. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, March 28th at the Soledad Mission at 11 am. Masks are required. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Soledad Mission, PO Box 515, Soledad, CA 93960 or American Legion Post 32, PO Box 38, Soledad, CA 93960.
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