Joe Ben Vaughan

Funeral services for Joe Ben Vaughan, 88, of Huntington, will be held Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel in Lufkin with Brother Scout Betz officiating. Graveside services with military honors will follow in Henry Cemetery in Cherokee County near Gallatin.

Mr. Vaughan was born September 16, 1936 in Mills County, Texas to the late Nila Dale (Cornelius) and Robert Tillman Vaughan, and died Saturday, April 5, 2025 at his residence surrounded by family.

Joe Ben attended Lamar University on a basketball scholarship in 1958-60. He was a stand-out player and loved to reminisce about his days playing the game. He proudly served his country in the United States Army working with the Army Map Service for the Pentagon. He later worked as a Civil Engineer, retiring from the Texas Department of Transportation after 34 years of service. He was a Resident Engineer for the Lufkin Area Office. In 1987 he won a state award for designing the first Lufkin overpass connecting Loop 287 to US 59 South. Joe Ben was a faithful member of the Church of Christ where he served as an elder and deacon and taught Bible classes for children for many years. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, teaching them basketball skills and going on vacations with them. He also enjoyed ranching at his Magnolia Ranch, working cattle and growing hay and clover.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Maye Vaughan of Huntington; daughters and sons-in-law, Christy and Barrett Lankford of Lufkin, Patti and Brad Tiemann of Flint; grandchildren and spouses, Colton and Ariel Lankford of Florence, Connor and Maddie Lankford of Houston, Cade Lankford of  Fort Worth, Allison and Cody Bowman of Arnold, Missouri, LoriAnne and Evan Horner of Nacogdoches, Ben Tiemann of Flint; great-grandchildren, Wren Lankford, Ryker Lankford, Barrett John Lankford; brother, Richard Vaughan of Kirbyville; and numerous other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Edward Eugene Vaughan.

Pallbearers will be Barrett Lankford, Brad Tiemann, Colton Lankford, Connor Lankford, Cade Lankford, and Ben Tiemann.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, 2025 at the funeral home in Lufkin.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.