Fallen Hero: Retired Master Sergeant James (Jimmy) M. Vaughn, Jr.

Starkville, MS

---

Funeral Home

Welch Funeral Home

---

---

Obituary

Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:

Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.

In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero.  Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.

Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on December 23, 2025, and has moved on to his heavenly home.   Retired Master Sergeant James (Jimmy) M. Vaughn Jr., age 80, who had served and worked fulltime in the 2nd Battalion, 114th Field Artillery Regiment has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.

It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country.  A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.

Rest in Peace Soldier.  We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.

You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.

Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.

Obituary, Visitation, and Service Details:

James M. (Jimmy) Vaughan, Jr., 80, passed away December 23. Jimmy was born in Greenville, MS on February 27, 1945, to Evelyn C Vaughan and James M. Vaughan, Sr.

Jimmy is survived by his wife of 40 years, Betty Jo, his children, son Jay Vaughan of Starkville, MS, daughter Susie Sanders (Michael) of Cumming, GA, son Tom Vaughan (Christi) of Cumming, GA, stepdaughter Mitzi Willett of Tulsa, OK, and the mother of his children, Patricia M. Vaughan of Starkville. Jimmy is also survived by his youngest sister, Cynthia Humphries of Naples, FL. We are also remembering Jimmy’s stepdaughter, Della Renee Sanders, during this time whose recent passing remains prominent in our hurting hearts.

Jimmy’s grandchildren include Susie and Mike’s children Benjamin Sanders of Cumming, GA , Mark Sanders of Cumming, GA, William Sanders of Cumming, GA, Lindsay Sanders of Cumming, GA, Jack Sanders of Cumming, GA, Tom and Christie’s daughter, Anna Claire Vaughan of Cumming, GA, and Mitzi’s son, Jessie Willett of Tulsa, OK. Jimmy is also survived by nieces Christine Chenoweth Foltz of Fayetteville, PA, Tabbitha Powell of Vance, MS, Amanda Eilers Fessenden of Gainesville, FL, Heather McKnight of Ellabell, GA, and nephews Greg Vaughan of Columbus, MS, and Corey Vaughan of Naples, FL.

Mostly a lifelong resident of Starkville, MS, Jimmy graduated from Starkville High School in 1963 and soon began his many years of service by enlisting in the Mississippi Army National Guard, entering basic training at Fort Polk, LA. Jimmy rose through the ranks quickly becoming Starkville’s HHB 2/114 FA’s first sergeant at a young age. Jimmy during this time owned and operated S&V Tire Service in Starkville which in addition to retail sales and service also involved a very active commercial truck tire recapping division. The business eventually dissolved in the mid 1980’s. Jimmy went on to begin his next 20 years of military service becoming HHB 2/114 FA’s full-time ops-intel chief under the rank of Master Sergeant, subsequently retiring as Sergeant Major.

Jimmy also had an underlying passion for law enforcement and began volunteering in the early 1970’s as an auxiliary policeman for Starkville PD. Jimmy subsequently ran for and was elected constable of today’s district 5. Upon completing over 40 years of military service, and having no use for retirement, Jimmy was asked to come to work for the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy where he served in prisoner transport and eventually as the jail administrator until several years ago. Jimmy subsequently continued to work as a deputy, serving as a bailiff at the Oktibbeha County courthouse, and continuing that service until his sudden passing.

Jimmy also served as a Mason and was quite involved in veteran outreach through Post 13 of The American Legion in Starkville where he also once served as their Commander. Jimmy also holds a bachelor’s degree in business from William Cary College.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dan Moreland, John Lee, and to the memories of late Joe Morse and Charles M (Chuck) Carter whose immense friendships to Jimmy over many years were so valuable to him. The family extends its deepest gratitude to all of his friends who’ve encountered him and helped make his life so good and full. Finally, we extend our genuine thanks to the outstanding team of professionals at Choctaw Regional in Ackerman for making Jimmy’s last few days as comfortable as possible. Jimmy’s last days there were filled with many stories, much laughter and love.

Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, December 30, 2025 from 12:00-1:00 PM at Friendship Baptist Church in Sturgis, MS, with the funeral service iimmediately following. Burial will be in the Mashulaville Baptist Church Cemetery in Mashulaville, MS.