Roy Vaughn

   Our friend Roy Vaughn has taken a down turn. Roy is 70+ and lived a hard life.

   Roy was a rookie policeman in Dallas in 1963. Historians should know he was on duty on November 22, 1963, that he helped corral three suspects that day in the railroad yard just behind the grassy knoll. They were released shortly as mere vagrants but they were men of squinted eyes and sharp replies, with just enough money in their pockets to insure they would be released.

   Roy was on duty in the basement of the Dallas Jail the day Jack Ruby shot Lee Harvey Oswald. He was detailed to watch the door Ruby supposedly entered. Roy would gladly tell you, forcefully, no one ever entered that door while he was on duty. Those were his ordesr and Roy followed his orders.

   Roy and his partner were in a patrol car hit by a train later. One wonders how. Trains are fairly predictable. They run on tracks and have schedules and lights and bells.

   Roy liked to point out he was not driving when they got hit by the train.

   He nearly died then. I am not sure he was ever pain free after that night.

   I think Roy knew me yesterday when I held his hand, standing, like a rueful oaf, next to his bed. He smiled as best he could. There is cancer in his pancreas, liver, stomach and lungs.

   I know other people like that, too.

   This just hurts because it is Roy in the hospice bed with the quiet family gathered all around him. He was always the life of the party. To be around him was a party. Now, he is about done here. Headed for a better place, he leaves the world a little emptier of good.

Comments

[MR]

RD,

Thanks for sharing this. Thoughts and prayers for Roy and his family during this time of transition.

MR

[aintsobad]

roy is about the same today. they are trying to help his pain as he makes this transition. Years ago, I asked him about his faith in the Christ, followed him through his statement and believed in his confession of faith. He certainly lived the life in all things other than church attendance.

 

I guess it is better to have one fellow who lives the life without attending services than it is to have ten who come to services every week and live like the devil all week long.

[Bobby T]

Thank God for the truly FAITHFUL SAINTS of HIS Kingdom... like Mr. Vaughn. It is people like Mr. Vaughn who make this world a better place... and who make Heaven even more populated than before. Where would the rest of us be if not for men like him. To him we say thanks. To him we offer a great big salute and thanks. Godspeed.