Michael “Mike” Edward Vaughn, age 77, passed away Monday, June 20, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Mike was born on July 5, 1944, to the late Harold Scott Vaughn and Geneva Choate Vaughn in Ottumwa, Iowa. Kentucky was his home until he moved to Tennessee eleven years ago.

Michael earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Forestry from the University of Florida, after attending the University of Kentucky for two years. He was active in scouts and earned the highest honor, Eagle Scout, and he loved being outdoors. He felt connected to nature through his Cherokee heritage. His forestry degree gave him the opportunity to do what he loved while maintaining that deep connection with nature. After an injury, he began working with the State of KY and then the U.S. Department of the Interior in the office of Surface Mining as an Area Office manager, from which he retired in 2004.

Above all, Mike loved God with his whole heart. At an early age, he began following God and continued his life trying his best to live up to the example left by Jesus. Mike was a “doer” and quietly gave to anyone in need whether it was through time, monetary donation, a word of encouragement, or service. He loved to participate in mission trips to serve and spread the Word of God.

Michael was a man of few words, however, if you spent enough time with him, you would discover his kind and spirited humor. Despite his quiet nature, he was quite the storyteller, it wouldn’t take long to find yourself lost in one of the many tales he told about his family. Besides his love for God, his family was most important to him. He was happiest when he had all of his children and grandchildren under one roof.

Mike was blessed with many gifts and talents. He took a lot of pride in working with his hands, you could always find him in his shop woodworking. He called himself a carpenter and left the signature “Josef” on every masterpiece he completed. Each piece was accompanied by a thoughtful scripture verse. He had a love for woodworking but also his love for his farm, vegetable garden, and animals were more than a hobby, it was a way of life.

Not only was blessed with the hands of a maker but he was also gifted with a heart of a musician. He glorified God with his voice by singing solos or with the church choir. It was not uncommon for him to be found whistling or playing his harmonica or find him singing sweet songs to his wife.

His family will carry his legacy of love and kindness and all the valuable lessons that he imparted. He will be deeply missed by all the lives he touched.

In addition to his parents, Michael is preceded in death by his brother, Steve.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Sue Vaughn; his children: Matt (Laura) Vaughn, Chris (Tammy) Vaughn, Erin Vaughn, Josh (Lindsey) Vaughn; sister: Bettie (Moshe) King; niece: Shana (Kevin) Lacey; grandchildren: Stevie Vaughn, Andy Vaughn, Sasha Vaughn, Lilly Vaughn, Olly Vaughn; and many extended grandchildren: Shannon Hankins and Kevin Dzikowski and their spouses and children; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at First Baptist Church of Columbia at 2790 Pulaski Highway on Saturday, June 25, 2022, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, with the Celebration Of Life service commencing at 3:00 PM. Michael will be laid to rest at Reevesville Cemetery in Illinois.

To share words of comfort and condolences, please visit www.williamsfh.com. In lieu of flowers, requests that donations be made to the Samaritan’s Purse in honor of Mike.