Jerry Wayne Vaughn was born January 15, 1942 in Forsyth County, NC to the late Euby and Lucinda Matthews Vaughn. He attended Walkertown Elementary and Walkertown High School, which were both within walking distance of his home. Jerry began attending Appalachian State Teachers College in fall 1960. The most important part of his college years was meeting Mary Helen Norris on May 16, 1961. They met on a blind date and fell in love immediately; the next 6 weeks were a whirlwind of dates and picnics.

Jerry and Mary Helen married at Bethelview Methodist Church parsonage on July 13,1961. After a honeymoon to Myrtle Beach, they stayed in Boone for Jerry to continue at ASTC, and then moved back to Walkertown in 1964. Jerry and Mary Helen bought a restaurant, Sparky's Grill, where they worked together for many years. They sold the restaurant and moved back to Boone in 1972 where Jerry began his law enforcement career.

Jerry worked for the Boone Police Department and then Watauga Sheriff's Department where he was a detective. He also taught Basic Law Enforcement Training at several local community colleges. He loved teaching.

In 1982 Jerry began his next career as a private investigator. He went from wearing the white hat of law enforcement to the black hat of helping the defendant. Jerry made many friends of judges, attorneys and court personnel. He received much joy from being able to help others. He always had time to talk to anyone that came in his office asking for advice.

As a member of Bethelview Methodist Church, Jerry taught Sunday School for many years and served in various positions in the church.

After his retirement, Jerry loved his mornings at McDonalds with his friends and was able to do this for many years. He loved the employees at McDonalds and considered them his friends too. Many Friday nights you could find Jerry and Mary Helen at Mike's Inland Seafood, their favorite restaurant.

Jerry and Mary Helen raised a garden for many years and shared the bounty from their garden with friends and neighbors. Jerry rode his blue tractor all over the neighborhood during the cold winter months pushing snow or during the summer cleaning the side ditches and scraping the road.

Jerry enjoyed attending ASU football games with his daughter Vonda, meeting new people and making friends.

Jerry is leaving behind his loving wife, Mary Helen Norris Vaughn. They took care of each other through the last few years and Mary Helen has been the most devoted caretaker during his last year. His daughters are Vonda Vaughn Cameron and husband Dave, and Candis Vaughn Walker and husband Tim. He has four grandsons, Trevor Penick and wife Lolly, Kyle Penick and wife Rachel, Ezekiel Walker, Nathaniel Walker; and two great-grandchildren, Case Penick and Violet Penick.

Although Jerry did not have any siblings he had many friends that he considered as brothers and sisters.

A celebration of life service will be held at Bethelview Methodist Church on Ridge Road in Boone, Sunday, July 28th at 4:00 PM. Pastor David Green will officiate. Please join us for a reception in the fellowship hall following the service.

Our family would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to MediHome Hospice for their special care in the past months.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Bethelview Methodist Church, 193 Ridge Rd, Boone, NC 28607, MediHome Hospice, 400 Shadowline Dr Unit 101, Boone, NC 28607 or BSA Troop 109, 356 Hidden Valley Circle, Boone NC 28607.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.