God is First, Others are Second and I am Third”
Services have been set for January 28th, 2025 at Platte Woods Church in Platte Woods, MO. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with a memorial service and celebration of life to begin at 11:00 a.m. Jerry passed away peacefully December 29, 2024, following a brief illness.
Born July 15, 1953 in Greencastle, Indiana to Nelson Baxter Vaughn and Dorothy Evelyn (Dziggel) Vaughn. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother, Dwaine Nelson Vaughn.
Jerry developed a strong work ethic growing up on a farm and following High School, he attended Purdue University and Vincennes University. During his college years at Purdue, Jerry served in leadership for numerous campus organizations including Alpha Gamma Rho which resulted in lifelong friends. Jerry was active in the FFA (Future Farmers of America) in local, state and national leadership positions. In 1977, Jerry was selected to represent the FFA traveling to 31 countries in just 7 months. A week long train ride through Russia, early morning Land Rover trips in Iran, a Mt. Everest sunrise in Kathmandu, speaking at the National Future Farmers of Japan Convention, and the list goes on and on. From working the summer on a farm in Sweden to FFA assignments in Greece, Israel, Thailand, Australia and the Fiji Islands.
Following graduation, Jerry embarked on a career in publishing. He served as Editor of 3 national trade magazines at Century Communications, then later as Director of Public Relations at Fletcher Mayo Associates. In December 1985 he co-founded Spectrum Communications which grew into one of the nation’s top independent PR firms. He took great pride in owning a national PR firm serving Fortune 500 companies and national associations.
Even then, Jerry kept striving for more, earning his Masters of Business Administration in May 2004 and then serving as an Adjunct Professor. Following several years of Property Acquisition and Management he retired in 2019.
Jerry met, Connie, the love of his life in 2004. In March 2005 he married Connie Henley Leech at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. They were equally yoked during their 20 years of marriage. Jerry and Connie enjoyed traveling (he had been to 49 states – just missed Maine) and they hosted numerous family reunions for their family of 10 – kids, spouses and grandchildren near and far. Connie and Jerry also traveled extensively from Alaska to Greece, with a Holy Land pilgrimage to Israel being their most treasured experience.
Serving others was always a focus for Jerry. As a member of Platte Woods United Methodist Church he served in 20 different areas over 40 years. From Church Council to Singles Ministry Director; but the greatest joy came from teaching Sunday school to first graders. Seeing those girls and boys grow up into responsible, Christian adults serving in their communities was a great honor. He also served as Santa’s Helper from 1979 to 2023, and even his own grandchildren were unaware he was Santa’s helper for many years. His last appearance was in Dec 2023 with PWC’s Sunbeams and PDO kids.
Jerry and Connie served as counselors on the field at Arrowhead Stadium when Billy Graham hosted one of his last revivals. And both served in the Emmaus Community and were commissioned as Stephen Ministers – lay care givers to care receivers.
Jerry loved being a “Bonus Dad” to Chris and Jennifer. His life revolved around his grandchildren: Henley, Hannah, Hunter and Helen. He strived to form special bonds with each child and shared Christian values with them. Papa Jer was always there to babysit, make you laugh or give you a hug.
They enjoyed winters in Peoria, Arizona with Chris’s family and friends, and while in Arizona he was an affiliate member of Willowbrook UMC where he served as a Stephen Minster – lay
Survived by his wife, Connie Vaughn, Kansas City, MO; Jennifer and Eric Matson, Parkville, MO; Chris and Kristin Leech, Glendale, AZ; sister, Darlene Darnell, Lebanon, Indiana along with his nieces and nephews. Jerry adored his four grandchildren – Henley, Hannah, Hunter and Helen.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Farmers House https://thefarmershouse.org/ or Platte Woods Church https://www.plattewoodschurch.org/
