Vaughn D. Hunter (Plainview)

Vaughn D. Hunter, 94, of Plainview, Texas passed away on Saturday, February 17, 2018 in Lubbock, Texas. A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2018 starting at11:00 A.M. at Kornerstone Funeral Directors. A graveside service with military honors will follow the visitation at 1:00 P.M. in the Plainview Memorial Park with Mr. Lanny Voss officiating. Arrangements are under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview. Vaughn was born on March 22, 1923 in Childress, Texas to the late Samuel and Ona Hunter. He grew up in Childress and described himself as a country farm boy. That all changed on Dec. 7, 1941. The attack on Pearl Harbor prompted Hunter to follow in his older brother O.D. footsteps and join the military. His younger brother also Melvin followed them both. Vaughn joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 19. He became fighter pilot and flew the F4U Corsair and served aboard at least three different ships. Vaughn didn’t recall how many bombing runs he made during WWII but served his country for 3 years, 7 months, and 14 days. His claim to fame was flying as part of the missing man formation after FDR died as the war drew to a close in April 1945. Vaughn did not consider himself a hero, just lucky to survive. After the war, he had desires to become a commercial pilot and work for an airline, but there were no jobs available due to all the pilots that got out of the military before him. Instead, he married Elizabeth Hess in 1947 and moved to Plainview. He owned and operated Hunter Photography Studio until 1962. He then joined his uncle at R.C. Magnum Machine and Auto parts until 1974. Vaughn became the manager at Mathis Irrigation Engines and worked for them for 24 years before retiring at the age of 79. Vaughn was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Elizabeth Hunter in 2002; and his two brothers, O.D. Hunter and Melvin Hunter. Survivors include his two sons, Guy Hunter of Lubbock, Gil Hunter and wife Michelle of Dallas; one granddaughter, Kodi McCulloch and husband Jason of Greenwood, TX; three great grandchildren, Khloe Hunter McCulloch, Kholten McCulloch, and Korbin McCulloch.