Michael "Mike" Ray Vaughan

Dr. Michael "Mike" Ray Vaughan, 74, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, December 26, 2018, at the Transitions Life Care Hospice home in Raleigh, NC.

A native of Hampton, VA, Mike was born August 11, 1944 to the late Ray Vaughan and Mary Elizabeth Bradshaw.

He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from NC State University in 1971, with a Master’s degree from Oregon State in 1974 and with a PhD in Wildlife Sciences from The University of Wisconsin in 1979. He was on the faculty at Virginia Tech in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife for 30 years and remained a Professor Emeritus until his death.  He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, honorably serving in the U.S. Air Force. He was married to the former Lillian Wolfe for 47 years and retired in 2010 to Pittsboro, North Carolina.  He loved nature, wildlife and was the world’s best dad!

In addition to his parents, Mike was predeceased by his sisters Judy Gascon and Lisa Swinney.

He is survived by his wife, Lynn; son, Ben Vaughan and his wife Amy; daughter, Jodi Carr and her husband Greg; and daughter, Lindsay Vaughan.  He is also survived by six beautiful grandchildren and his sister Sandra Richardson and her husband, George.

The family will receive friends 3:00 PM Sunday, December 30, 2018 at Donaldson Funeral Home – 396 West St. Pittsboro, NC. A service to honor the life and memory of Mike Vaughan will start at 4:00 PM.

Memorials may be made to:  World Wildlife Fund or Duke Cancer Fund