Vaughn F. James, age 67, of Marion passed away Thursday, July 30, 2015 at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Appleton.

Vaughn Francis James was born on October 1, 1947 in Keshena to Martin “Smash” and Betty (Matchoma) James. He graduated from Shawano High School in 1965. Vaughn entered the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969. He was united in marriage on July 13, 1968 to Patricia M. Daley at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Marion. Vaughn was employed at Marion Body Works as a purchasing manager for 34 years, retiring in 2007. Vaughn was always very athletic and was named to the Menominee Nation Athletic Hall of Fame, the Shawano High School Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Menominee Baseball Hall of Fame. He enjoyed playing baseball, softball, football and basketball; but he will be remembered most as a coach. Vaughn’s favorite pastime was coaching kids in several different sports for many years at Marion High School and at Menominee Indian High School. He was a man of few words and he touched a lot of lives throughout his lifetime. The couple loved to dance and he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was also a proud member of the American Legion Post #198 of Marion.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Pat, and four children, Nicki (Eric) McGath of Brookfield, Mike (Jewel) James of Marion, Ryan (Sabrina) James of Shawano, and Yvette (Keith) Johnson of Leesburg, FL. There are 12 grandchildren, Sam and Maddy McGath; Camden, Gavin, Alivia, and Julia James; Jada, Kale, Jayden, and Jaidalynn James; and Bryan Martin and Leanna Bryant. There are four siblings, Willie (Butch) Peters of Keshena, Fritzie Reiter of Shawano, Jwin (Steve) Zillier of Cecil, and Tori (Sam) Boucher of Gresham. There are four brothers-in-law, Mike (Debee) Daley of Clintonville, Bill (Kathy) Daley of Oconomowoc, Dan (Louise) Daley of Rochester, MN, and Dick Daley of San Francisco, CA. He is further survived by one sister-in-law, Kathy (Tim) Clark of Maple Grove, MN; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Vaughn is preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Kanasa; an infant son, Sean; a sister-in-law, Maggie Daley; and his father and mother-in-law, William and Marie Daley.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, August 4th at 6:00 p.m. at the Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville. Deacon Lincoln Wood will officiate and Military Honors will be provided by members of the American Legion Post #198. Friends may call on Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. until time of service at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent via www.beil-didier.com.

The family wishes to thank all the doctors and nurses at St. Elizabeth Hospital, especially Dr. Fredric Hildebrand; the team at Select Specialty Hospital, West Allis; and the staff at ManorCare Health Services, Shawano, for the care and compassion given to Vaughn.