James M. Vaught

SMSGT James M. Vaught, USAF Retired, of Liberty, passed away on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Jean Waddle Care Center in Somerset. He was 85.

Born on September 4, 1940, in Casey County, Kentucky, he was a son of the late Earl and Edna Stafford Vaught. James was a retired Senior Master Sergeant in the US Air Force where he served as a Chapel Management Technician for seventeen years and a Chapel Management Superintendent for eight years. He was a devout believer and had a very personal relationship with God. James was a very generous man with a neighborly heart, and he loved helping anyone in need. He enjoyed fishing and hunting.

He is survived by two sons, Greg (Mary) Vaught of Spring Lake, NC and Terry (Tami) Vaught of Soldotna, Alaska; five grandchildren, Morgan, Debbra, Cassandra, Zackery, and Kody; eleven great-grandchildren, Alex, Lindsey, Aleja, Lauren, Elizabeth, Isabella, Carson, Kinlee, Eva, Harper, and Juniper; a brother, Randall Vaught of Liberty; and two sisters, Anna Dickerson and Mary Sue Shoopman, both of Liberty.

James is preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Vaught; a son, Larry (Susan) Vaught; and a granddaughter, Katherine Gerhardt.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Brush Creek Cemetery with Bro. Ricky Rodgers officiating. Burial will follow in Brush Creek Cemetery with military honors provided by the Casey County Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research at P.O. Box 1999, Memphis, TN 38101or Shriners Children's Lexington, Philanthropy Dept., 110 Conn Terrace, Lexington, KY 4050.

Arrangements are entrusted to McKinney-Brown Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.mckinneybrown.com.