Alton Vaughn

Mr. Alton Vaughn, age 78 of Grand Junction, Tennessee, departed this life Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 8, 2019 at Shackelford Funeral Directors of Bolivar with Keith Hayworth and Ricky Watkins officiating. Interment followed in Grand Junction City Cemetery.

A lifelong resident of Grand Junction, Mr. Vaughn was born Thursday, January 30, 1941 to the late James Lester "Puddin'" and Estelle Smith Vaughn. He lived with his parents until Sunday, June 5, 1960, when he was united in marriage to Nelda McKee Vaughn and the newlyweds created their own home, where they lived ever since.

Mr. Vaughn was a farmer and raised all kinds of livestock. He had been a member of the Farm Bureau Board since 1973, the same year in which he won an award for "Outstanding Young Farmer". He eventually went on to serve on several Farm Bureau committees, and was a former Vice President and President. He also served on the Board of Directors of Hardeman Academy, Rossville Academy, and the Hardeman County Farmers Co-op, and was given the "Outstanding Conservation Farmer" award in both 1998 and 2008.

After 56 years of working in agriculture, he retired from roll crop farming but continued to raise cattle. He loved car racing, working with the roses in his garden, grilling and spending time with his family. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Grand Junction, where he and his wife served as youth directors. He had also attended Hickory Valley Baptist Church more recently.

In addition to his wife of 59 years, survivors include his daughter, Susan Vaughn Young and husband John of Memphis; son, Mike Vaughn and wife Marly of Grand Junction; grandson, Ryan Vaughn and girlfriend Jenny Kocak of Grand Junction; step-granddaughters, Skylar Young and Sunny Young, both of Atlanta, GA; step-grandson, Cody Gibler and wife Samantha of Water Valley, KY; dear friend whom he considered a brother and with whom he worked on the farm since he was 12 years old, James Robert Pope of Grand Junction; in-laws whom he considered siblings, Bernice Shelby of Memphis, Mickey Luna and husband Hugh of Cordova, Jim McKee and wife Darlene of Millington, and Ricky McKee and wife Martha Nell of Sumner, TX; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as an infant son, Randy Vaughn, who died in 1969.

Charitable contributions made in Mr. Vaughn's memory may be sent to the Hickory Valley Fire Department, the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org/donate), or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org/donate).