John Alden Vaughan

John Alden Vaughan, 100, passed away on August 18, 2021, in Norman, Oklahoma.  Born in Providence, RI, March 27, 1921, he attended school there graduating from Pawtucket High School in 1939.  He obtained a position of orderly and laboratory assistant at Butler Hospital in Providence.  There he met Arvilla Humez, a student nurse, at the Yale School of Nursing.

Early in 1942, he joined the United States Army in the Medical Service.  He was sent to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., where he studied to be a surgical technician.  After graduation, he was sent to Camp Devens to be part of the 364th General Hospital.

In June of 1943, he married Arvilla Humez at the First Methodist Church in her hometown of Rome, New York.  He was then sent to Nottingham, England with the 364th where he supervised the enlisted personnel in the operating room.

After being discharged in 1946, he returned to Boston with his wife, Arvilla, and enrolled in Boston University.  He graduated in 1950 with a degree in biology and chemistry.  He worked in Environmental physiology research at Natick Army Laboratory.

He and his family moved to Norman in 1962, where he was employed in research with the Civil Aeromedical Institute of the FAA in Oklahoma City.  He joined the Aerospace Medical Association and was a charter member of the Constituent Aerospace Physiological Society.  He was certified in aerospace physiology and served as President of the society in 1980.  He was also chairman of several of the scientific sessions of the association and authored 50 published papers.  He retired from the FAA in 1982.

John was active in Norman on the NAIC Board of Governors, a volunteer with the American Red Cross Blood Program, volunteered at Norman Regional Hospital in the Pastoral Care Department, a NRHS Foundation Member and a member of the Leader’s Plus of the Chamber of Commerce.  He was a longtime member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and was a Eucharist Minister.  He was a lifelong avid bridge player, OU fan and history buff.  In his later years, he enjoyed nothing more than a glass of rosé and a good book. 

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, two brothers and his wife, Arvilla.  He is survived by four children: son Peter and wife Sherry of Hulbert, OK, son Eric and wife Cindy of Norman, OK, daughter Christine VanDuker and husband Charles (Van) of Norman, OK, daughter, Mary Cox and husband Howard of Winmalee, NSW, Australia, eight grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.

The family thanks the numerous doctors, nurses, caregivers, staff and friends at Norman Regional Hospital, Rivermont Trails, Rivermont Gardens, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Life Spring Home Health, First Choice Home Health and Grace Skilled Nursing Care.