Mark Kevin Vaughan

Mark Kevin Vaughan, 53, of San Jose CA (formerly of Athens OH) passed away peacefully on January 2, 2010. Mark, a/k/a "Nuke", died at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center of complications related to liver failure. His youngest sister, Cynthia Vaughan Welch, was by his side.

Born in Little Neck, NY, on May 27, 1956, Mark graduated from Athens High in 1974. He lettered in baseball as pitcher and in football as starting center. Mark earned the nickname "Nuke" for his explosive power as a pitcher for the AHS Bulldogs.   While an OU student, Mark played baseball and hockey; later he played semi-pro football in OH for the Big Bend Warriors.   Mark began his boxing career in Chauncey, coached by Dr. Muang Gyi.   With a professional record of 27 and 3. Mark opted for abrupt retirement when his appendix exploded during a Salt Lake City fight.

After graduating from the Joe Brinkman School in Florida, Mark began the career he loved: officiating semi-pro, collegiate and high school baseball in Santa Clara County, CA. He was admired and respected by his peers for his accuracy, skill and showmanship.   Sports, especially baseball, football and fishing, remained his lifetime passions.

At age five, Mark astonished his father David Vaughan (formerly OU's Director of Aviation) by recognizing by sound each aircraft that flew into the small OU airport (then located on E. State St. in Athens); the Columbus Dispatch reported on his remarkable abilities.   As a Boy Scout, Mark earned Scouting's highest honor for a Catholic, the Parvuli Dei Award.   Extremely intelligent and quick-witted, Mark entertained and delighted family and friends with his relentless humor, which remained intact despite many health problems until days before he died.

The love of Mark's life was his wife, Stacey Jaworski; they were married in 2006.   Stacey now lives in Paragould AR.

In addition to his father David and stepmother Brigitte Vaughan of Scottsdale AZ, Mark leavessisters Victorya Vaughan McEvoy of New Haven CT, Pamela Vaughan Knaus
of Fort Collins CO, and Cynthia and husband David Welch of Murphysboro IL, as well as five nieces and five nephews.

Mark's mother, Elizabeth "Joan" Vaughan, died in 2006.

Mark died awaiting a liver transplant.   His sisters request that those who wish to honor Mark's memory do so by registering as organ donors.