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
Dale W. Cobbs ~ 05-05-1945 to 07-18-2024
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Linn County News Published July 24 2024 Dale W. Cobbs, age 79, of Bush City, Kan., passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland Park, Kan. Dale Wayne Cobbs was born on May 5, 1945, he was the second son born to Everett Wayne... [More]
James E. Wright ~ 01-07-1933 to 07-21-2024
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Linn County News Published July 24, 2024 James E. Wright, age 91, Mound City, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 21, 2024. Visitation will be held 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, July 29, 2024, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel. Memorial contributions... [More]
Roland L. Weir 07-09-1946 to 07-07-2024
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Linn County News Published July 17, 2024 Roland L. Weir, age 77, formerly of La Cygne, Kan., passed away in Yates Center, Kan., on July 7, 2024. He was born the son of Beulah Bledsoe on July 9, 1946, in La Cygne, Kan. Growing up and living in La Cygne all his life,... [More]
More Obituaries
- Edward Floyd “Ed” Maloney 10-14-1928 to 07-04-2024
- Betty Alice Smith Fyock 11-02-1931 to 07-04-2024
- Clarence William “Bill” Craven 06-26-1945 to 07-03-2024
- Rolleen Diann Stites 08-12-1950 to 07-04-2024
- Sa’Faree Nicole Woodberry ~ 02-14-2024 to 06-26-2024
- Billy Sherwin Hardesty ~ 04-07-1941 to 06-27-2024
- Darlene M. (Oetting) Fischer ~ 02-02-1931 to 06-27-2024
- Neal Edward Mathews ~ 10-14-1938 to 06-29-2024
NEWS
Commissioners discuss adding new position
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During the course of the July 22 meeting the commissioners and Public Works Administrator Shaun West discussed the possibility of adding a position of County Administrator. The discussion began with West noting that the Road and Bridge budget would be dependent on whether or... [More]
Work progresses on USD 362 daycare
Facility will carry the name of ‘Little Buffs’ Daycare Work to renovate Unified School District 362’s former bus barn into a preschool child daycare facility continues to progress toward a goal of being ready when classes begin next month. Financial... [More]
Political forum scheduled for Thursday
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The 2024 Primary Election is scheduled Tuesday, Aug. 6, and with that the Linn County News Political Primary Forum is scheduled for Thursday, July 25 at 6 p.m. The forum will feature local candidates, state and national candidates or their representatives. It will be held at... [More]
More News
- USD 346 accepts donations, bids Farm-to-Plate initiative
- Survey for guardrail improvements to begin at Mound City
- Commissioners set evening meeting on last week of the month
- USD 362 to notify revenue exceedance
- Parker to submit exceedance resolution
- Tempers flare during commissioners meeting
- Pleasanton approves land sale resolution
- Legalese complicates La Cygne items
SPORTS
Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team makes finals at Nationals
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The Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team traveled to Mason, Mich. from July 12-14 to compete in the USA High School Clay Target League (USAHSCTL) National Championship. The team performed well both as an individual and a team. The action started on July 12 as Pleasanton/Jayhawk... [More]
Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team places second at TRL tournament
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The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team and Pleasanton 2 girls’ coach pitch team competed in the Three Rivers League girls’ coach pitch tournament at Bronson on July 5-6. Pleasanton 1 did not participate in the tournament. Pleasanton 2 was the four seed in... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton T-Ball hosts Three Rivers League boys’ T-Ball tournament
- Local ball players make Sports In Kansas All State teams
- Prairie View students receive spring kudos
- 2024 All Linn County Softball team
- 2024 All Linn County Baseball team
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk Linn trapshooting team competes at State Tournament
- Prairie View trapshooting JV team places second at State
- Mound City hosts youth fishing derby
OBITUARIES POLICY
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
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