John David Vaughn OFM

Franciscan Father John Vaughn, OFM, passed to eternal life on October 10, 2016 in Santa Barbara. He was 88 years old, 67 years professed in the Franciscan order, and 61 years a priest. A quiet, humble friar, he was beloved and admired by all who knew him, especially in his home Province of St. Barbara, a region of the Franciscans in the western United States. John David Vaughn was born in Santa Ana, CA, the son of Morgan Leonard Vaughn and Jane Stack. He received the Franciscan habit on July 11, 1948. Following his profession of simple vows, he completed his college years at Mission San Luis Rey, and he professed solemn vows there on July 12, 1952. After theological studies at Mission Santa Barbara, he was ordained to the priesthood on December 17, 1955. Fr. John's first assignment was to St. Francis church in Sacramento, CA. followed by an assignment to St. Anthony's Seminary and later served as Assistant Master of Novices and associate Pastor at Mission San Miguel. He completed post-graduate studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and, upon his return, was assigned to St. Francis Friary in Sacramento, CA, as Master of Novices, local superior and pastor in 1969. In 1973, while still in Sacramento, he was elected Vicar Provincial Minister for the Province of St. Barbara and later Provincial Minister. However, his term of office was cut short, because on June 3, 1979, he was elected Minister General of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor, the order's highest office, and moved to the order's headquarters in Rome. After six years, he was re-elected to a second term. In his visits around the world as Minister General, friars found Fr. John to be open, friendly, and encouraging. When he had to make hard decisions in some very difficult situations, it was always for the good of the friars. In 1991, after finishing his second term as Minister General, Fr. John accepted an assignment as Master of Novices again at Mission San Miguel in July, 1994. In 2003 he was assigned to Mission Santa Barbara where he assumed leadership of the efforts to canonize Junipero Serra and to minister in the parish and to the Poor Clare sisters. Although gradually losing his sight and in declining health, Fr. John continued to be an active presence in the community and an inspiration to all. Regardless of the important offices that he held, Fr. John was always himself-gracious and thoughtful of others, patient in illness, and always a brother to all the friars of the order.

John David Vaughn OFM

June 30, 1928 - October 10, 2016