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Bob Vaughn, 68, died unexpectedly at his home Oct. 29, 2014 in Fairbanks, Alaska. He was born Dec. 26, 1944, in Prescott Kan. to Raymond and Mildred Vaughn. Growing up in southeast Kansas, he enjoyed riding horses, hunting, fishing, and working on the family farm.
He graduated from Prescott High School in 1962, then attended Fort Scott Community College, Emporia State University, and the University of Alaska. His areas of study were Biology and Organic Chemistry. He was awarded an all-expenses-paid scholarship to study the growing habitat of moss in Point Barrow, Alaska in the summer of 1970. He fell in love with Alaska that summer and returned the following spring to live in Fairbanks, where he called home.
He enjoyed the life of a bachelor living in his cabin out in the woods, reading and working on his books. His professional life was as varied as his interests. He fought forest fires in California in the 1960s and worked as a mechanic in his uncle’s shop. In Fairbanks, he worked tracking satellites for the European Space Agency and later Gilmore Creek. He was a commercial fisherman in Cordova and worked for the Crisis Line, counseling people in crisis. In his later years, he worked for Aramark as a tour bus driver in Denali National Park which gave him an opportunity to show off Alaska’s wildlife. He volunteered at the literacy council, the native mission, and was active in the McGrath Baptist Church of Fairbanks. He enjoyed hiking on his days off with his younger coworkers. Getting up at 5 a.m., he would arrive at the Hamme pool in Fairbanks and swim a mile every day, gaining the nickname “Backstroke Bob” from his friends. With these same friends, he often would enjoy playing practical jokes, talking about his work at Denali, his grandchildren, and what book he was working on at the time. He never knew a stranger, often spending hours visiting with friends, family and coworkers. He was an avid reader, history buff, and writer. He loved animals especially dogs, but cats found him particularly interesting.
He was married briefly to Mary Ann (Leamon) Childers. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Eugene; two great-nephews, Mathew Cubley and Levi Watt; and great-niece Hailey Watt. He is survived by brothers, Glenn and his wife Jean Vaughn of Prescott, Kan. and Jimmy and Wanda Vaughn of Urich, Mo.; sister, Arlene and husband Bob Seitz, of Chugiak Alaska; several nieces and nephews; his daughter, Michele Lyon and husband Kevin; and his grandsons, Daniel, Jarrett and Andrew of Fort Scott.
Friends and family are invited to a memorial service at Prescott United Methodist Church at 2 p.m., Dec. 26, 2014.
A memorial service was previously held at the Independent Baptist Church in Anchorage Nov. 9, 2014, with burial Nov. 10, 2014 at His Servants Haven of Rest Cemetery on the grounds of the Independent Baptist Church youth camp in Palmer, Alaska. Services were conducted by Pastor Stan Roach.

OBITUARIES

Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025

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Linn County News Published June 4, 2025   Gary Ray Johnson, age 90 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on May 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home in Pleasanton, Kan. Visitation... [More]

Rees Lyle Shattuck ~ 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025

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Linn County News Published May 28, 2025   Rees Lyle Shattuck, age 93, Prescott, Kan., passed away Monday, May 26, 2025. He was born on Aug. 31, 1931, in Boicourt, Kan., the son of Rees Wilbur and Lulu Elizabeth Black Shattuck. He served his country in the United... [More]

Wayne Eldon Long ~ 07-03-1942 to 05-24-2025

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Linn County News Published May 28, 2025   Wayne Eldon Long, age 82, of Parker, Kan., passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Wayne was born on July 3, 1942, in Garnett, Kan., the son of Homer Leon and Margaret Ethel (Collins) Long. He was one of three children and... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

SPECIAL: Commission to vote Monday on Parker Center lease

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Linn County commissioners plan to vote at their weekly 9 a.m. meeting next Monday, June 2, on a 99-year lease agreement with Parker and their Senior Center building. At Tuesday's weekly Commission meeting, delayed by a day because of Monday's federal Memorial Day observance,... [More]

Despite Chamber loss, Blast in the Park fireworks will go off

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Council actions include split vote on deed conveyance   Hearing of the disbandment of its local Chamber of Commerce, La Cygne leaders have verbally concurred that the city’s part in the annual Blast in the Park festivities will go on. Following that Chamber notification... [More]

Linn Valley discusses city hall funding sources

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The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present.    Donelson informed the council of two potential opportunities for funding a new City Hall building. ... [More]

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SPORTS

Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State

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The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to West Franklin on May 22 to compete in the 3A Regional. As a team the girls placed 10th with a score of 22.5 points while the boys were fifth with 56 points. This year the top three places in each event qualify for the State meet then... [More]

School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka

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The Pleasanton track team traveled to Eureka on May 22 for a 2A Regional track meet. This year the top three places advance to the State meet along the top four times/distances not from the top three from all other Regionals. This year the Jays qualified eight athletes in seven... [More]

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OBITUARIES POLICY

• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
• Must be received by 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning in order to appear in that week's edition.
• Obituaries submitted by funeral homes will be billed to the funeral home.
• Full obituaries submitted by individuals are required to be paid in advance.
• Cost: $40 for 300 words or less. Each additional word over 300, 10¢. Photograph $5.
Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

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