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2013 SESSION


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 88
Celebrating the life of John Bassett Vaughan.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 11, 2013

 

WHEREAS, John Bassett Vaughan, a national leader in the furniture industry and pillar of the City of Galax, died on June 25, 2012; and

WHEREAS, John Vaughan, who was the son of state Senator Taylor G. Vaughan, Sr., and his wife, Blanche, attended Galax City Schools; he graduated from Fork Union Military Academy, eventually joining the business his father founded; and

WHEREAS, a member of the board of directors of Vaughan Furniture from 1954 until his death, John Vaughan served as vice president (1954 - 1955), executive vice president (1956 - 1976), president (1976 - 1995), chief executive officer (1992 - 1999), and chairman of the board of the company (1997 - 2005); and

WHEREAS, John Vaughan also served as a member of the board of Webb Furniture Enterprises from 1976 to 2005 and as its chief executive officer from 1996 to 2005; and

WHEREAS, John Vaughan led Vaughan Furniture as it grew to become one of the area’s largest employers and took an active role on numerous boards and in various associations related to the furniture industry; and

WHEREAS, John Vaughan was recognized for his many contributions to the industry with induction into the American Furniture Hall of Fame and the American Home Furnishings Alliance’s Distinguished Service Award; and

WHEREAS, committed to the well-being of Galax, John Vaughan served nine years on the Galax City Council, including one term as mayor, and worked to ensure the efficient and effective operation of local government for area residents; and

WHEREAS, John Vaughan took an active role in community affairs, serving as a founding member of the Twin County Regional Hospital board of trustees, chairing the committee that raised millions of dollars for the Galax Public Library, and helping found the Galax Foundation for Excellence in Education; and

WHEREAS, John Vaughan also chaired the Twin County United Way, the local division of the Boy Scouts of America, the Oak Hill Academy board of trustees, and the local Carroll-Grayson Shrine Club horse shows to benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Crippled Children; and

WHEREAS, John Vaughan helped found the Galax Elks Lodge and was a longtime member of the Old Town Masonic Lodge and the Kazim Shrine Temple, a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Galax, and a generous supporter of the Galax Volunteer Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, a vital part of the Galax community, John Vaughan made many substantial and lasting contributions to the city and touched the lives of countless individuals through his civic and business affairs; and

WHEREAS, a devoted family man, John Vaughan will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 60 years, Anne; children, William, John, Karen, and Amy, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and admirers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of a respected businessman and dedicated community leader, John Bassett Vaughan; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of John Bassett Vaughan as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for his memory.