James (Jim) T. Vaughn Jr., age 75, of Smyrna, Delaware, passed away on October 10, 2024. He was surrounded by family and friends, just as he was in life.
Jim was born on August 5, 1949 to James and Sylvia Vaughn. He had a childhood full of playing Little League for the Rotary team, riding his bike, and playing baseball in the streets of Clayton until he heard his mother ringing the dinner bell to come home.
Jim graduated from John Bassett Moore High School in 1967 before heading out to Duke University, graduating in 1971. 1971 was an eventful year, as he married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie (Missy) Speakman, before they headed out to Washington DC for law school at Georgetown University. School was interrupted for a few years, as he was drafted into the Army and stationed in Hawaii for the last few years of the Vietnam War. Jim graduated from Georgetown Law School in 1976.
After graduation, Jim worked in private practice in the Law Offices of Vaughn and Vaughn until 1988, when he joined Schmittinger and Rodriguez. In 1998, he had the honor of being appointed to the Superior Court of Delaware, where he served both as Resident Judge from 1998-2004 and President Judge from 2004 until his appointment to the Supreme Court of Delaware in 2014. Jim retired from the Supreme Court of Delaware in May 2023. He considered being able to serve the state through the judiciary as one of his greatest honors, and cherished his relationships with his clerks, fellow judges, and the many attorneys he got to work with over the years. He especially valued his relationship with his secretary, Debbie Maull, who kept him organized, made sure his vacations were planned well, and was his most valued teammate.
Jim was active in his community, serving as a member of the Rotary, serving on the Vestry of St Peter's Church, and attending Inns of Court. He had a keen interest in history, being an active member of the Lincoln Club. He was a member of Harmony Lodge No. 13, serving as a past Master in 1986. He loved the Yankees and tailgating at University of Delaware football games. When he got the Final Jeopardy question correct, he had a victory dance that had to be seen to be believed.
Jim was preceded in death by his beloved parents, James T. Vaughn Sr. and Sylvia Harris Vaughn as well as his brother, Robert Vaughn. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie "Missy" Vaughn; his two children, Mary Vaughn Moor (Alex) and James "Jay" T. Vaughn, III (Liz); his sister, Judy (Bryan); his beloved granddaughters, Deirdre, Miranda, Alexandra, and Vivian; and his many close and wonderful friends with whom he spent Friday nights and who went on amazing trips with him all over the world.
Family and friends are invited to visit on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 from 5-8 PM at Faries Funeral Home, located at 29 S Main St., Smyrna, DE 19977. Visitation continues at St. Peter's Episcopal Church at 22 N. Union St, Smyrna, DE 19977 on Thursday, October 17 from 10 AM-12 PM. Funeral services will commence at 12 PM at St. Peter's Episcopal Church. A reception at Belmont Hall will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Smyrna-Clayton Little League, 541 Duck Creek Parkway, Smyrna, DE 19977, or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).