A. Vaughan Richards

A. Vaughan Richards, age 79, of Warsaw, passed away on October 3, 2026, surrounded by his family at the Ohio Heath Hospice House. Vaughan was born on December 25, 1946, in Morristown, NJ, to the late Arthur Vaughan and Margaret J. (Ducey) Richards.

Vaughan proudly served his country in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. He owned and managed several restaurants throughout his career, most notably the Ponderosa Steakhouse in Heath, Ohio. He later began a career with the Newark Police Department, where he served as a radio operator before retiring as a Public Safety Officer.

He was an avid outdoorsman and wildlife enthusiast who enjoyed God’s creations and was a conservationist in their uses. Vaughan was a lifelong member of the Ohio State Trappers Association, the National Trappers Association, and the National Rifle Association. He was also a member of Eden Church of Christ and Hanover American Legion Post 764. Vaughan was a dedicated volunteer with all of these organizations including the V.A.L.O.R. Clinic Foundation, giving his time to support veterans and his community. Above all, he cherished his wife and loved spending time with his family and friends, creating many special memories together.

He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Richards; son, Ryan (Carrie) Richards; and daughter, Stephanie Richards; grandchildren, Mason Richards and Dylan Dowell; siblings, Margaret Rebman and George Richards; nieces, Kristi Rebman, Teagan (Brad) Torres; and nephew, Dylan Richards.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Calvin Richards; and nephew, Jason Rebman.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on October 21, 2026, at Eden Church of Christ, 10052 Eden Church Road, St. Louisville, Ohio 43071, with Dan Hamilton officiating. The family will welcome friends for fellowship from 10-11, one hour prior to the service. The burial will follow at Eden Church Cemetery, with the Licking County Veterans Alliance to perform military honors.

The family would like to put out a special thank you to Riverside Hospital and the Ohio Health Hospice House for their great care of Vaughan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Eden Church of Christ, 10052 Eden Church Road, St. Louisville, Ohio, 43071 or to the Ohio State Trappers Association, PO Box 119, Radnor, Ohio 43066, or the V. A. L. O. R Clinic Foundation, PO Box 711, Newark, OH 43055.

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