John Vaughns

John Wesley Vaughns departed this life on March 28, 2022 at home. John was born on July 8, 1946 in Kansas City, Missouri to Lawrence and Veoma Vaughns. Both parents preceded him in death.

John accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age, and was a member of Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church.  John was educated in the Kansas City, Missouri Public and Parochial schools.  He continued his education at Penn Valley Community College, and later joined the United States Navy in 1964. He served on the US Hornet Helicopter Squad and in the Vietnam War during his four-year tenure.

John participated in the Golden Gloves while attending high school, and went on to win the Golden Gloves Welter Weight Division the last year he participated. John also won All Navy in the Welter Weight Division of Boxing while serving in the United States Navy.

John was united in holy matrimony with Rosa Marie Wilson on July 3, 1986.

John was employed as a Housing Specialist with Housing Authority of Kansas City for 41 years.  The one thing he wants you to always remember is “hard work never hurt anyone and running away never solves anything.”

John had a passion for singing.  Not only could he sing, he could “sang”. He sang with various local groups and C.J. Recording Artist, The Sensational V.I.P.’s. The group opened for Jackie Wilson, The Five Stair Steps, The Dramatics, Johnny Taylor, Al Green, and many more around Kansas City, Oklahoma, and Michigan.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife of 36 years, Rosa Wilson; three sons John Wesley Vaughns, II (Cheryl) of Avon, Indiana, Micheal McKibben, Steven McKibben, both of the city; three daughters Sylvia Williams (Joseph), Melissa Vaughns-Guien (Adonis), Fredricka McKibben, all of the city; 23 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; a devoted brother-in-law Prentice Young; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.