Dr. Donald Eugene Vaughn

Donald Eugene Vaughn, of Raleigh, a physician, died on May 6, 2017 at the age of 85. Dr. Vaughn was born October 9, 1931 in Gaffney, SC, the eldest son of the late Jess and Eulalia Vaughn. He was also preceded in death by his brother Ray Vaughn. He grew up and attended high school in Gastonia, NC. He attended the University of North Carolina and attended medical school at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. After graduation from medical school he did further training in Washington, DC and Knoxville, TN and after serving two years in the Army began a family practice during the period of 1961 through 1977. In 1978, he joined the emergency department group at Rex Hospital where he continued until retirement in 1996. During this time, he was active in the North Carolina Medical Society serving on several committees. He was a member of the North Carolina College of Emergency Physicians serving on committees and as a member of the Board of Directors for several terms. He received the first George Podgorny award from the College for his work in developing a do-not-resuscitate form for pre-hospital providers for the State of North Carolina. After retirement from the Rex Emergency Department he worked at various emergency departments throughout the country but obtained most notoriety for his time working on cruise ships. From 1985 until 2002 he was medical director of the Wake County EMS System, a position which brought him great pleasure through his work with so many dedicated individuals. From 1998 until 2012 he was on the Copernicus Group Independent Review Board. In 2002, he was presented the Dr. George Johnson, Jr. award from the North Carolina Advisory Council and the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services for his efforts in improving emergency medical care for North Carolina. His wife Linda Yarborough Vaughn and five children, Donna Pittard of Durham, Donald Vaughn, Jr. and wife Anita of Chapel Hill, Mark Vaughn and his wife Shannon of Wake Forest, Michael Vaughn and his wife Suzanne of Cary, and Charles Winstead of Raleigh, one brother, Alex Vaughn, and one sister, Janice McKnight survive him. Also, his six beloved grandchildren and two great grandchildren who always made life interesting and brought him so much joy survive him. Flowers are appreciated, or memorial gifts could be made to the Wake County EMS Fund, PO Box 603428, Charlotte, NC, 28260, 1-844-409-2031 or another of your choice. A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 2 pm. The family will receive friends from 3-5 pm. Services will be held at Renaissance Funeral Home, 7615 Six Forks Rd. Raleigh, NC 27615

Dr. Donald Eugene Vaughn

October 9, 1931 - May 6, 2017