Master Sgt. James Darrell Vaught (Ret.)

Master Sgt. James Darrell Vaught (Ret.), 73, of Loris passed away on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, at his home following an illness. Mr. Vaught was born on March 16, 1946, in Loris to the late Lundy Monroe Vaught and the late Flora Anderson Vaught. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and longtime member of Olyphic Baptist Church in Tabor City, N.C.

Upon graduating from Loris High School, Mr. Vaught joined the United States Army in 1964 and served his country with courage, honor and distinction in the Vietnam War. He was later stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia, where he served as First Sergeant of the Honor Guard, commanding the United States Army Drill Team in ceremonies at the White House and Arlington National Cemetery.

He also had the distinct privilege of serving as the Sergeant of the Guard for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as a member of “The Old Guard” of the Army. His final military post was as a Non-Commissioned Officer at West Point, where he helped mold young cadets to be fit for service. After retiring from the military in 1986, Mr. Vaught went on to earn an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice and joined the Fraternal Order of Police, serving as a proud officer of the Supreme Court of the United States Police Department from 1988 until his second retirement in 2003. Through his career and into retirement, he was always dedicated to the task, striving to achieve The Old Guard’s famous standard of perfection in everything from the execution of his military duties to the manicuring of his lawn (his final, unofficial post). Off duty, Mr. Vaught (known equally as Jim, Darrell or “Doc”) was a history buff, an avid traveler and outdoorsman, a sports enthusiast, choir singer and family man.

Survivors include his loving wife, Bonnie Vaught of the home; his three children, James D. Vaught Jr. of Eustace, Texas, and James’ mother, Kitty Jo Weldon, Shane Vaught and Summer Hudson of Clemson and Taryn Vaught Wright and husband Brad of Greenville; five grandchildren, Ashlie Ferris and husband Lukas, Kathryn Vaught, Cameron Wright, Dalton Wright and Anthony Cook; one great-grandchild, Nathaniel Ferris; and three brothers, Monroe Vaught of Longs, David Vaught and wife Jessica of Tabor City, N.C., and Steve Vaught and wife June of Longs.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Darrell was predeceased by his son, Kevin Vaught and his brother, the Rev. Paul Heyward Vaught.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Dec. 20, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Hardwick Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, at Olyphic Baptist Church with Pastor Dave Williams and the Rev. Dr. Wayne Brown officiating. Committal services, with military honors, at Arlington National Cemetery will be announced at a later date.

The family requests that memorials may be made to the Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 93, Loris, S.C. 29569; the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, National Processing Center, P.O. Box 96764, Washington, D.C. 20090-6764; or to Olyphic Baptist Church, c/o Mrs. Gloria Heniford, 20656 Seven Creeks Hwy., Tabor City, N.C. 28463.

Sign Mr. Vaught’s online guest book at hardwickfuneralhome.com.

Hardwick Funeral Home is serving the family.