Kenneth L. Vaughn

Mr. Kenneth Vaughn age 76 of Oak Park, died Monday, May 12, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family following a short illness. Kenneth was born in Lyons, Georgia, and grew up on a small farm in the Oak Park area. He was a member of the Onley Primitive Baptist Church in Oak Park, where he attended most of his life. He graduated from high school in Swainsboro in 1966. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Army for a three-year tour of duty. He completed his basic training at Fort Benning and was then assigned to Fort Gordon for training in Electronics and Aviation Brigade, 243rd Assault Support Helicopter Co., in Dong Ba Thin, South Vietnam. He was an avionics technician on the CH 47 (Chinook) helicopter. He was also on flight status and flew many missions over the southern area of South Vietnam. After completing his tour, he returned to Fort Gordon, where he spent his last year as an instructor in Basic Electronics.

After leaving the Army, he went to work for Piggly Wiggly Southern in Vidalia. He started at the warehouse in Vidalia. While working at the warehouse, he attended night classes at Brewton Parker College, where he obtained an Associates Degree. After a few years, he transferred to retail. He worked in several positions over the years. He was promoted to store manager in Augusta and worked there until he decided to leave Piggly Wiggly and move back home. He and Belinda, his wife, bought a small grocery store in Oak Park that had a community Post Office attached. After a couple of years, they leased out the store, but Belinda continued to operate the Post Office. He went to work for the Georgia Department of Corrections, starting at the Georgia State Prison in Reidsville. From there, he transferred to the Probation Detention Center in Claxton. When the Emanuel Probation Detention Center opened in Twin City, he transferred there as a sergeant. During this time, he started night classes at Georgia Southern University and got his Bachelor’s Degree in Management. While at Emanuel Probation Detention Center, he worked up through the ranks and was promoted to Superintendent. He maintained this position until he retired from the Georgia Department of Corrections. After retirement, he spent his time with Belinda, just enjoying time together. He then decided to try one more adventure. He obtained his certification from the Georgia Department of Transportation as a pilot car driver. He worked with several companies escorting oversized loads through the southern states. He came home from a run one day and told Belinda he was through. He sold his equipment and became a stay-at-home husband. His hobbies were building furniture, bird houses and different types of woodwork. They traveled a little, spent hours at a time working in the yard, trying to keep her many flower beds free of weeds. They thoroughly enjoyed just hanging out together. Belinda was not only his wife, but his very best friend. One of his favorite past times was laying on his hammock under the gazebo, listening to the goldies but goodies of the sixties on the radio. He knew all the words to all those old songs and would sing right along with them.   He was preceded in death by his father Theron Vaughn, his mother Vera Logan Vaughn, of Oak Park, brothers Cannie Vaughn of Guyton and Harold D Vaughn and Leroy Vaughn, both of Oak Park.

His family includes his wife of forty-three years, Belinda Anderson Vaughn, formerly of Franklin Tennessee, a son Heath Vaughn and his wife Audre of Helena, Alabama, two daughters, Crystal Brinkley of Hazlehurst and Ginger Vaughn and fiancé Jarrod Powell of Oak Park, three grandchildren, Audra and Aiden Mims of Hazlehurst, and Gabriel Smith of Oak Park, three sisters, Carol Sharpe of Lyons, Margaret Crews and Wanda Bellflower, both of Vidalia; twenty-two nieces and nephews; and a multitude of cousins.

His family would like to thank the staff in PCU at Memorial Health Meadows Hospital for the wonderful loving care they gave him during his stay. His family would also like to thank Community Hospice for their compassionate care.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00.

The funeral service will be Friday morning, May 16th, 2025, at 11:00 at Olney Primitive Baptist Church with Elder Bill Durrence, Pastor Don Carroll, and Ted Logan officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Park City Cemetery with military honors.

Flowers are accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice Foundation PO Box 2277, Vidalia, GA 30475.

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kenneth L. Vaughn, please visit our floral store.