C. Porter Vaughan Jr.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch, 8/1/2008

VAUGHAN, C. Porter Jr., age 89, died July 30, 2008. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth Brown Vaughan; and his parents, C. Porter Vaughan Sr. and Bessie Brooke Vaughan.

He is survived by two children, C. Porter Vaughan III and his wife, Kate, and Leroy B. Vaughan and his wife, Susan; four grandchildren, Alan Porter Vaughan, Ellen Vaughan Schroeder, Elizabeth Vaughan Anderson and Leroy B. Vaughan Jr.; and two stepgrandsons, Carl John Knorr III and Thomas Landon Knorr. Porter Vaughan was a native of King and Queen County, Va.

After graduation from Stevensville High School, he enrolled at the University of Richmond and graduated with a B.A. Degree in 1940. Having been successful as a left-handed pitcher for Coach Mac Pitt's State and Southern Conference baseball championship teams, he was signed by Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics.

During World War II, he rose to the rank of Captain in the Army Air Corps and returned briefly to baseball after the War in 1946. C. Porter Vaughan Jr. began his real estate career in September 1946 as an associate with Harrison and Bates, Inc. In February 1949, he and a fellow broker, Winfree H. Slater, started the firm of Slater and Vaughan Realtors. He formed C. Porter Vaughan, Inc., Realtors, in June 1967.

Primarily involved in real estate brokerage, Mr. Vaughan actively participated in syndications, residential subdivision development, commercial and office park development and property management; and his firm developed or represented many of the finest new home communities in Richmond. He was installed as the President of the Richmond Association of Realtors in 1963 and was named their "Realtor of the Year" in 1988. The Virginia Association of Realtors installed him as its President in 1970 and in that same year recognized him as its "Realtor of the Year." He was a Director of the National Association of Realtors from 1975 to 1980.

His involvement in civic activities included serving as Director of the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, the Chamber of Commerce, Richmond Kiwanis Club, Boys Club of Richmond and Metropolitan Richmond Retail Merchants Association. He served on the Board of Directors of the Richmond Chapter Red Cross, South Richmond-Chesterfield YMCA, Big Brothers of Richmond and Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University).

He was a member of the Circle of Excellence at VCU (Advisory to Chair in Real Estate). He was a Trustee of the Collegiate Schools. He served on the City of Richmond Real Estate Review Board and was on the Board of Directors of First Virginia Bank Colonial. Porter Vaughan was a member of Westover Hills United Methodist Church from 1946 to his death and served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for 10 years. He was a founder, director and president of Willow Oaks Country Club. He was a member of the Commonwealth Club of Richmond.

Other memberships included Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, Scottish Rite Mason (since 1957) and Rho Epsilon, Real Estate Fraternity, Honoris Causa, Virginia Commonwealth University. At the University of Richmond, he served as a Trustee (1970-74) (1983-99), on the Executive Committee (1985-86), on the Board of Associates (1974-82), as Chairman of U/R Athletic Council (1972-74) and a member from 1956-74. He was inducted in the Sports Hall of Fame in 1976. He received the University of Richmond Alumni Award for Distinguished Service (1981-82), Trustees' Distinguished Service Award in May (1986) and an Honorary Doctor of Commercial Science Degree (1987). He was a Director of Boatwright Society (1985-98).

He was inducted in the Virginia Sports Wall of Fame in 1985, and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Saturday at Second Baptist Church at the corners of River Road and Gaskins.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution to the charity of one's choice or C. Porter Vaughan Jr. Baseball Scholarship Fund at University of Richmond is appropriate.

Arrangements by the Bliley's Funeral Home Central Chapel.