John Bassett Vaughan, 81, of Galax passed away on Monday, June 25, 2012, at Twin County Regional Hospital. Mr. Vaughan is survived by his wife, Anne Butler Vaughan, sons and daughters-in-law, William Bunyan & Jennifer Vaughan and John David & Elizabeth Vaughan, Sr., daughters and sons-in-law, Karen Hundley Vaughan & Michael Stevens and Amy Clark Vaughan & Dr. Michael Russell, ten grandchildren, Michael Elliott Stevens, Katherine Vaughan Stevens, Victoria Anne Vaughan, John Edward Vaughan, Jennifer Marguerite Vaughan, Michael Benjamin Russell, Nancy Clark Russell, Mary Elizabeth Russell, Julia Hylton Vaughan and John David Vaughan, Jr., one great-grandson, Michael Chase Stevens, and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Vaughan was born in Galax, Virginia, on December 24, 1930, the son of Senator Taylor G. Vaughan, Sr. and Blanche Bassett Vaughan. He attended Galax City Schools and Fork Union Military Academy where he graduated in 1948. He attended North Carolina State College and graduated in 1952 with Bachelor of Science Degree in Furniture Manufacturing and Management. He also received a commission as Second Lieutenant, U. S. Army and served his country in the Korean conflict.

On June 1, 1954, Mr. Vaughan joined Vaughan Furniture Company and was involved in all facets of the business during his entire forty-five years. He served as Vice President of the company from 1954 to 1955, Executive Vice President from 1956 - 1976, President from 1976 - 1995, Chief Executive Officer from 1992 – 1999, and Chairman of the Board from 1997 - 2005. Mr. Vaughan retired on June 1, 1999 and was a member of the Board of Directors from 1954 until his death. He was also a member of the Board of Webb Enterprises from 1976 to 2005 and served as Chief Executive Officer from 1996 to 2005.

Mr. Vaughan dedicated his business life to the company his father founded in 1923 and along with his brother, George, was largely responsible for its growth and success. A great supporter of all areas of the Furniture Industry, Mr. Vaughan was an active participant and Board Member of the Southern Furniture Manufacturers Association and the American Furniture Manufacturers Association and served as President from 1988 to 1989 and Chairman of the Board from 1989 to 1991. He served on the Advisory Board of the School of Engineering at N. C. State University and the Board of The Furniture Foundation. Mr. Vaughan was inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame in October, 2000 and received the American Home Furnishings Alliance's Distinguished Service Award in November, 2010.

Mr. Vaughan was active in many civic organizations serving as Chairman of the local United Way; Chairman of the local Division of the Boy Scouts of America; founding member of the Board of Trustees of the Twin County Regional Hospital; Chairman of the fund-raising committee for the Galax-Carroll Regional Library; one of the original Board members and Chairman of the Galax Foundation for Excellence in Education which provides yearly college scholarships to many Galax High School graduates; one of the founders of the Galax Elks Lodge and a past Exalted Ruler; Chairman of past Galax Horse Shows sponsored by the Carroll-Grayson Shrine Club for the Hospital for Crippled Children; served nine years on the Galax City Council with one term as Mayor, served on the Board of Trustees of Oak Hill Academy with two terms as Chairman; served on the Board of Trustees of Averett College; received the Community Service Award in 1998; and received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Fork Union Military Academy on May 4, 2003. Mr. Vaughan was a long time member of the Oldtown Masonic Lodge and the Kazim Shrine Temple.

Mr. Vaughan attended the First Baptist Church of Galax all of his life, becoming a member in 1943. He had the privilege of teaching Sunday School for many years and was a positive influence for many young men in the Galax area. Mr. Vaughan served as Deacon and Chairman of the Board of Deacons for many years.

A devoted family man, Mr. Vaughan married the love of his life, Anne Elizabeth Butler, on June 28, 1952. His fondest memories were of times spent together with his wife raising his four children and grandchildren. Mr. Vaughan always made it a point to take an active role in his family's lives attending many school plays, band concerts and athletic events.

Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Galax, VA on Thursday, June 28 at 12:00 PM with burial to follow at the Felts Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday at the church starting at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory be made to the First Baptist Church of Galax,1024 East Stuart Drive, Galax, VA or to the John B. Vaughan Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of the Galax Foundation for Excellence in Education, P O Box 487, Galax, VA 24333.