Dave Vaughn of Onley

Dave Vaughn, 60, of Onley, passed away Thursday, May 13, 2021, in Newport News, Virginia, after a brief illness.

Dave was born in New Haven and grew up in Orange, Connecticut, learning life lessons from his grandparents and from a group of hardworking, somewhat eccentric workers at his father’s business, Vaughn Nurseries.

Dave was the beloved husband for 37 years of Carol Van Dessel Vaughn and was the proud father of Clara Vaughn and Melody Vaughn Anderson and her husband, Taylor Anderson — “the favorites.”

Dave also is survived by his brother, Bruce Vaughn, and wife, Patricia O’Brien, and their children, Aelfred and Lachlan Vaughn; his sister, Carolyn Vaughn, and husband, Justin Green, and their children, Cleo and Ludo Green.

He was predeceased by his mother, Lois Guthridge, and father, Edgar Vaughn.

Dave loved life, God, and all God’s creatures — people, especially children, the elderly, and people with special needs; animals and birds, especially his hummingbirds; and plants of all kinds.

He also loved playing the piano; gardening; listening to classical music, classic rock, and the blues; writing; and learning new things — most recently Latin. He loved to travel and have new experiences.

Most of all, Dave loved helping people.

He worked as a group home manager and case worker with adults with intellectual disabilities, as a counselor at Eastern Shore Community College, and later as a nurse, including working on an Alzheimer’s unit and with Hospice patients.

He did not care much for pretense or fashion. He liked genuine people, from whatever walk of life they come.

Dave’s gentle, humble spirit touched many people during a life that seems to those who love him to have been much too short.

A memorial service will be held on the grounds of Historic Onancock School, 6 College Avenue, Onancock, Saturday, May 22, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Ed Hunt officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Foodbank of the Eastern Shore, P.O. Box 518, Onley, VA 23418, the Eastern Shore Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ESCADV), P.O. Box 3, Onancock, VA 23417, the Eastern Shore YMCA, Attn: Andre Elliott, 26164 Lankford Highway, Onley, VA 23418, or to the charity of one’s choice.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.

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