An illustrious life dedicated to servitude and bettering the community was lost on April 22 with the passing of philanthropist and Army veteran Colonel Thomas B. Vaughn at the age of 86.
Native to Warren County, Vaughn began his military career as a private in the Tennessee Army National Guard. When he entered the Army, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant at 22 and selected for Infantry Officer Candidate School in 1961. Vaughn would graduate with distinction on March 30, 1962.
From platoon to brigade task force, Vaughn served on five of the seven continents and was a two-term combat veteran of the Vietnam War. His accolades include the Legion of Merit with Oak Cluster, Bronze Star Medal with V device and four oak leaf clusters, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritous Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with V device, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Bade, Parachutist Bader, Ranger Tab and General Staff Identification Badge.
Vaughn would go on to graduate from Omaha University in 1967, and later earn his master’s degree in political science from the University of Kansas in 1972. Ten years later, he graduated from the Army War College. His exemplary ability as a leader earned him placement on he Honor Roll of the Infantry Officer Candidate Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, GA in 1984.
“I watched him in action as a commander when I visited him in Hawaii,” long-time friend of Vaughn, Jacky Jack White said. “He was very disciplined, extremely organized and he was firm in his command.”
Despite his years in the military, Vaughn’s investment into the community did not end after his retirement from the Army. He taught college-level American and Tennessee History, State and Local Government and Public Speaking courses. Additionally, he co-hosted Town Talk and Your Turn on WBMC Radio and Straight Talk on WCPI Radio.
Vaughn was a man of many talents and wore a variety of hats throughout his life, but an affinity for the literary world remained a constant — both written and read. His library boasted over 500 books at the time of his passing. Vaughn was a contributing columnist for the Southern Standard for several years, penning “My Turn,” where he shared insights about a wide range of issues — both present and past. It was only in December of 2024 that Vaughn concluded his Sunday contribution to the op-ed page.
“He was a writer — he wrote poems and articles, and he helped write speeches for even people at the Pentagon,” White said.
The friendship between Vaughn and White began in 1985 when the two met through Vaughn’s first wife, Nancy.
“When we first met, he asked me about 1,250 questions about the country music business because I’ve written just about every genre of music, and, while he liked all kinds of music, he specially loved country,” White said of their meeting. “When his father-in-law passed away, he invited me to come visit his family in Hawaii where he was commanding the army base at Fort Schofield. That’s when Thomas and I became fast friends.”
White explained the escapades there would set the stage for the rest of their lives and friendship, bonding them through their shared sense of humor.
“We were snorkeling once and, as we were backing out of the water, he turned to me and said — in a voice akin to the Lone Ranger, ‘Well, we’ve cheated death once again, Captain Jack,’ ” White recalled. “We had a great friendship, especially when they moved back to Warren County when he retired.”
Alongside White, Vaughn helped put the feet beneath Bob White Music, Inc., where he served as President and CEO until his death. The music company put hit songs from Jason Gillentine, Neal McCoy, Charley Pride, Carl Ray, David Slater, Jeremy Stone, Steve Wariner, Jacky Jack White and others on the air waves during his time with the company.
Over the years, he met then-upcoming talents, such as Garth Brooks, before they found stardom and became household names.
“Thomas was very much responsible for keeping the company going when the music industry because to change,” White said. “With Thomas and myself, it was like a game and we liked to win at that game. We’ve had about 31 or 32 songs place on various charts over the last four and a half years. Without Thomas’ persistence, we wouldn’t have the company, and the company means something because it meant something to the both of us. Thomas was a member of the family and my parents basically adopted him.”
Vaughn was a dog lover and he often spoke of his long since passed canine pals Big Dog and Buddy Boy. He financially supported a variety of efforts, including the local Warren County Animal Control and Adoption Center as well as the Tennessee Fisher House Foundation, which provides free lodging for families of veterans receiving medical care at the VA hospitals in Murfreesboro and Nashville.
“He was the kind of person he was because he was genuine, kind and generous — he made an impact wherever he went and was truly a great man,” White said. “I think he woke up everyday thinking ‘What can I do that can make things better for somebody else?’ I’m blessed to have been his friend.”
Vaughn was a member of New Union Church and was fiercely dedicated to his family. He remarried after his late wife’s passing and commonly referred to wife Betty’s children as his “bonus daughters,” whom he embraced fully. His grandchildren are involved in sports and he attended every game he could to support them from the sidelines.
“He had a sort of resurgence when he met Betty,” White explained. “His years with Betty and his bonus daughters and grandkids brought him the greatest joy and happiness. It’s kind of like he went to heaven twice now because he was in paradise with his family first.”
In his golden years, Vaughn enjoyed travelling and frequently went on family vacations to the beach. He had a penchant for Scrabble and traveled to play in tournaments.
Vaughn’s obituary and all service information can be found on page A3 of this edition. he Southern Standard extends its condolences to Vaughn’s family and friends.
