FRIENDS WE WILL MISS
FRIENDS WE WILL MISS DAVID VAUGHAN
David N. Vaughan, Jr., age 85, passed away Thursday, June 11, 2020. Vaughan was born on February 2, 1935 in Fairmount, Georgia, son of the late David N. Vaughan, Sr. and Agnes Richardson Vaughan. He graduated from Fairmount High School. He attended the University of Georgia and graduated with a degree in animal husbandry in 1956. He attended University of Georgia School of Law and graduated with a JD in 1959. Vaughan moved to Cartersville, Georgia in 1960 to practice law. He served two terms in the Georgia House of Representatives (1964-1968) and two terms as the District Attorney of Cherokee Judicial Circuit (1968-1975). Vaughan was the owner of Salacoa Valley Farms and he was no stranger to the cattle business. As he was growing up, his father had registered Angus cattle as well as row crops. Both endeavors were compatible with raising a son, as there was no shortage of work to be done. As a teenager, Vaughan had an interest in showing cattle, and managed to win the steer show at the Georgia State Fair three times with his home raised Angus steers. College, law school, and a successful law practice failed to dim his enthusiasm for the cattle business. He soon began raising commercial cattle; recognizing the value of artificial insemination for the pounds and uniformity it would add to the calf crop. A natural progression followed as exotic cattle burst upon the American cattle industry scene, Vaughan began his quest to breed up his existing base cows to registered Simmental. As his herd percentages increased he began to add other registered Simmental cows and to produce seedstock for the industry. In the winter of 1984, he took in a set of Brangus cows from the legendary Willow Springs Brangus herd in Brenham, Texas. The cows wintered on crop residue and little else, impressing Vaughan with their hardiness and rustling ability. A friendship grew between Vaughan and Larry Gardner, owner of Willow Springs, and a joint venture was formed following the dispersal of the Simmental cowherd in late 1984. The joint venture operated as Willow Springs East until the time of the Willow Springs dispersal in1986. Salacoa Valley Farms was a major purchaser in the Willow Springs herd liquidation. Building on that base, their influence and respect in the cattle industry grew as they increased both numbers and quality. Recognized by the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) as the IBBA Breeder of the Year in 2006, Vaughan served two terms on the IBBA Board and in 2008, completed a term as president. In addition, Salacoa Valley Farms were long time members of the Southeastern 46
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Brangus Breeders Association (SBBA), as Vaughan also served as past president of that organization and was recognized with the SBBA Award of Excellence in 2006. He was also awarded the IBBA Pioneer Award in 2013. Vaughan is preceded in death by his granddaughter, Evie Elizabeth Vaughan. Survivors include his loving wife of 21 years, Susan Hall Vaughan; children, Steve (Rena) Vaughan, Lynn Vaughan, Darrell (Anne) Vaughan, David N. (Sherri) Vaughan, III and Joe Vaughan; children by marriage, Robert (Tia) Howard and Kate Howard; grandchildren, Stephen (Nicole) Vaughan, Jr., Sarah Vaughan, Leland Swift, Frances Swift, Hayes Vaughan, Luke Vaughan, Caroline Vaughan, and Elijah Vaughan; grandchildren by marriage, William and Henry Howard; great-grandchild, Stephen “Tripp” Vaughan, III; Margaret Durant and Mary Vaughan, the mothers of his children. Graveside services were conducted on June 15,2020 at Pine Log United Methodist Church Cemetery with Rev. Zack Townsend and Rev. Mark Rackley officiating. His grandchildren served as pallbearers. Memorial contributions may be made in Vaughan’s honor to Pine Log United Methodist Church Campground Fund or the SBBA “Janet Greuel Scholarship Fund” at www.sebrangus.com.
JOE TUSA
Joseph Charles Tusa died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on May 12, 2020. He was 93 years of age. He is preceded in death by his son Joseph Charles Tusa, Jr.; sister, Rosie Ragusa and husband, Jake; Josephine Tamborello and her husband Joe, and his parents Philip and Christine Tusa. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Ann; and his children, Philip Anthony and wife Linda Bea, David Paul and wife Leslie, and Therese Helen Tusa; daughters-in-law Robin, Jeannine Marie and Karolyn Kay Tusa; grandchildren Jeremy Matthew and his wife Ashley, Michael Joseph, Bethany Marie Stanley and husband Trey, and Brian Charles Tusa and his wife Valerie; and great-grandson, James Thomas Stanley. Tusa graduated from John H. Reagan High School in 1945. After high school he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war he attended Rice University, Saint Mary’s Seminary, and the University of Houston. He played football at both Rice and Houston and received his Bachelor of Science and master’s in education from the University of Houston. He began employment in the Houston Independent
