George "Bo" Orlan Vaughn

George Orlan ”Bo” Vaughn was born on April 20th, 1932 to George Francis Vaughn and Mamie Charlotte Smith Vaughn. He passed away at his home in Yuma, Colorado at the age of 84 on January 3, 2017. Growing up in Lueders, Texas, the youngest of four children, he graduated from Lueders High School in 1949.

He accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and was baptized June 1944 in the Clear Fork of the Brazos River just outside of Lueders, Texas. He served the Lord with strong ties to the Baptist church throughout his life as deacon and in various other volunteer positions.

He married Marzelle Burkman in 1950 and they had three children: Ginger, Ricky, and Larry. They also helped raise Cathey and Julie, daughters of Marzelle’s uncle.

Due to the loss of his father to pneumonia, Bo’s work history began at the early age of 9 from pumping gas to working the cotton fields, washing dishes, laundry delivery, learning how to cut meat in a grocery store, and eventually pumping oil wells. A job transfer brought the family to Yuma, Colorado in 1958 to work the oil fields. In addition, he had a thriving TV repair business that resulted in building the Radio Shack on Highway 34. For years he volunteered as a fireman, as well as serving on Yuma’s City Council. 

He enjoyed making new friends, gardening, photography, cooking, and weather tracking.

On November 5th, 1988 he married Patty Jo Wright. They continued to grow their oil and gas business and eventually maintained 92 wells. Health issues led to his retirement in May 2007. He encouraged Patty and was thrilled as she grew her expertise as a locksmith. She continued to be a devoted wife and caretaker. As his health declined, he enjoyed and appreciated the many visits and loving care of family and friends. For example, when Patty had to be away, Clair Hickman would often stay with Bo.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Mamie and George Vaughn; sisters Odessa Johnson, Corinne Cox, Maxine Payne; and infant brother Artist. 

Left to mourn Bo’s passing are his beloved wife of 28 years, Patty; his three children Ginger Wilkinson, Rick Vaughn and wife Donna, Larry Vaughn and wife Patty; grandchildren Jacob Vaughn, Myndall Coffman, and Curran Wilkinson; honorary daughter Shannon Whitehead and husband Doug and their son Kasen; honorary sons Roy Mekelburg and Wes Miller; great-grandchildren Kaitlynn and Caleb Vaughn, Tanner and Grace Coffman; mother-in-law Betty Wright, brother-in-law Gary and wife  Rhonda Wright; sisters-in-law Linda and husband Jerry Ostermiller, Cathy and husband Gene Thim; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

The service was held at the First Southern Baptist Church in Yuma, Colorado on January 7, 2016 at 10 A.M.  The interment followed at the Yuma Cemetery in Yuma, Colorado.  Memorial contributions may  be made to the First Southern Baptist Church of Yuma, Colorado and The Otis Baptist Church of Otis Colorado.  The service was officiated by Pastor Chris Gilmore and Pastor Alvin Wilkerson.  Arrangements were made by Baucke Funeral Home.