Services held for former CC president Vaughan

Funeral services for Kenneth D. Vaughan, President Emeritus of Clarendon College, were held Monday in Amarillo.

Vaughan, age 83, was responsible for the modern development of Clarendon College, overseeing its separation from the Clarendon school district in the 1960s and the move to its new campus in 1968.

“The great man – the man who built this college – has passed away,” CC President Phil Shirley told the Enterprise. “He was the genius loci – the spirit of this place.”

Vaughan died Friday, August 5, in Amarillo, and services were held Monday at Paramount Baptist Church with Dr. Gil Lain officiating. Inurnment will be in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon at a later date.

Vaughan was born in Highway Highlands, California, on June 6, 1928. He married Melba Ruth Grady in 1949 in Clarendon. Melba Vaughan passed away on November 1, 1983. Vaughan then married Billie L. Collins of Estelline, Texas on December 8, 1984.

He attended West Texas State University where he earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Education.

Mr. Vaughan served as a teacher in the Borger School District from 1949-1952 and came to Clarendon School District where he served the school district from 1952-1960. From 1962-1968 he served as both the Superintendent of Clarendon ISD and as the President of Clarendon College. He then continued as President of Clarendon College until his retirement in 1989.

Under Mr. Vaughan’s leadership, the new 107 acre campus of Clarendon College became a reality. He was known in the Texas Legislature as the “voice of the small colleges.” He was granted the title of President Emeritus by the Clarendon College Board of Regents in 1990.

Dr. Phil Shirley worked with Mr. Vaughan for three years as Dean of Instruction prior to Vaughan’s retirement, and he remembers the former president as man he admired.

“I looked up to him like a father,” said Shirley, who became president of CC in January. “I respected him deeply. He formulated my philosophy of higher education administration.”

Shirley said Vaughan literally built Clarendon College as it is now known but never wanted public attention for himself. He said Vaughan had a strict management style, which was needed for building up the college, and expected the best of every employee and of himself. He was also known for his conservatism with college finances.

“He told me once that if you watch the little things, the big things take care of themselves,” Shirley said. “Mr. Vaughan knew exactly to the penny what the college had, and he kept his finger on all college affairs.”

Shirley said Vaughan was always happy to share information and help the college when he could and said his death leaves a vacuum at Clarendon College.
“He was unique among all our presidents,” Shirley said. “He was inimitable – impossible to duplicate. I loved the man.”

Vaughan was preceded in death by his first wife, Melba Ruth Vaughan; and two brothers, Scott Vaughan of Albuquerque, NM and Carroll Vaughan of McQueeney, Texas.

Survivors include his wife Billie Vaughan of Amarillo; one brother, Dr. O. B. Vaughan of Corpus Christi; one daughter, Linda Vaughan of Fort Worth; five sons, Steve Vaughan and wife Jennie of Amarillo; Randy Collins and wife Kathy of Lubbock; Bob Collins and wife Janice of Estelline; Jon Collins of Amarillo; and Dan Collins and wife Melissa of Follett; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The family suggests memorials to the Kenneth D. Vaughan Memorial Scholarship Fund at Clarendon College, PO Box 968, Clarendon, TX 79226.

An online guestbook is available at www.schoolerfuneralhome.com.