L. J. Vaughan

L. J. Vaughan was born December 30, 1924 in Blackburn, Oklahoma. He was the son of A. M. and Anna (Beaver) Vaughan. L. J. was initially raised in the Jennings area but when his parents separated when he was young, he traveled frequently between Jennings and Red Rock via a horse drawn wagon to spend time with his father. He later moved to reside with his father in Red Rock and attended school there. Upon completion of his education, L. J. began a long career working for Carnivals and Circusí traveling throughout the United States. He primarily was a ride concession operator, setting up the rides, tearing them down when it was time to move on and operating them during its stay. He was especially fond of operating the Merry Go Round, because so many children loved it and wanted to ride it. He often gave deserving children who maybe didnít have the money to ride or were physically challenged a free ride on the Merry Go Round. During the winter months when the Carnivals and Circusí where not operating, L. J. would load the animals on a truck and take them to Florida to winter over. He would often augment his income in this time by taking care of the animals and working as a custodian in nursing homes. L. J. and his sister, Fannie cherished their relationship together and enjoyed each others company until Fannie passed away on March 2, 2001. A few years after the death of Fanny, L. J. moved to the Cleveland Manor where he was residing at the time of his death on Thursday, February 3, 2011. He passed away at the Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa at the age of eighty-six. L. J. was a jovial and light hearted man who loved the company of other people. He especially enjoyed visiting and listening to music; mainly old time gospel music. In addition to his sister, Fanny, L. J. was preceded in death by his parents, three additional sisters, Stella Nettle, Verna Comer, and Corinne Storm; a brother, Lump Vaughan and an infant brother, Markus Frank Vaughan. He is survived by his special friends, Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Pratt; his many friends in the Jennings area and in the Cleveland Manor Nursing Home. Funeral service will be held 2:00 Pm at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 with C. L. Pratt officiating. Burial will be at the Bethany Cemetery in Hallett under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home