Vaughn Gilbert

Vaughn Leroy Gilbert was born on May 7th, 1936 in Lynn Lane, Oklahoma to Clarence Lawrence and Ada Alice (Poyner) Gilbert.  Vaughn was the youngest of 4 boys and is survived by 1 of his 3 sisters, his baby sister Carolyn Testerman of Carrollton, Tx.   His mother passed away bringing his baby sister into the world when he was 7 years old.  His father moved the family to Claremore, Ok for work.  His father was re-married to Maude (Royal).  At age 15, he moved to Collinsville, Ok to live with his uncle and aunt, Marvin and May Timbrook.  He was put up with his cousin, Jack Young and they grew up as brothers doing as boys do in a small town.  He spent his high school years working in his uncle’s tire shop and filling station in Collinsville.  He graduated from Collinsville High School in 1955.  After graduation he went to live with his older brother and his wife, Elwayne and Merle Gilbert in Nowata, Ok.  Elwayne had learned to repair shoes in the army and Vaughn spent time learning the trade from his brother.  Unknown to Vaughn at the time, shoe repair would make life for him and his family.

While working for his brother in Nowata, He met his wife Daisy Lou Vinson at Nowata First Baptist Church.  They were married May 12th 1957 at Memorial Heights Baptist Church in Claremore, Ok surrounded by family and friends.  They moved to Tulsa, Ok where Vaughn worked in a shoe repair shop refining his skills.  They moved back to Daisy’s folks in 1958 to Watova, Ok and Vaughn found work in Bartlesville.  On June 16, 1958, he became a family man with the birth of his son Paul Leroy.  While working in a shoe store in Bartlesville, Ok, he learned of a shoe repair business for sale in Ponca City, Ok. In 1959, He bought the shoe repair business and renamed it The Booterie Shoe Service and the family settled.   On April 3, 1960 the family grew with the birth of Ricky Allan.  In 1962, Vaughn and Daisy suffered tragedy when their expected third child didn’t live through birth.  Their family was now complete and Ponca City would be their forever home.  The Booterie spent most of its time at 218 E Central Avenue.  In 1982, tragedy brought the passing of the oldest son, Paul Leroy.  Vaughn eventually moved the Booterie to South Avenue where he retired.  Ricky Allan took over the Booterie and moved it to south 14th Street until its closing in 2020.

Vaughn had a heart of giving and gave his time where ever he could.  He was active in the First Baptist Church being a training union leader several times being members since they moved to Ponca City in 1959.  He helped with cub scouts and became a Boy Scout leader and led many adventures for his 2 boys and lots of area youth.  He was a charter member of the After Five Lions Club.  He was a 50 year member of the Knights of Pythias serving as president locally and nationally.  He was a member of the Ambucs for a few years.  Vaughn and Daisy were very active socially and joined 3 different square dance clubs. The Chickaskia Valley being president for several years, The Kaws and Squaws, and the Pioneer Squares.  They travelled the state going to competitions.

He will be remembered by family and friends as light hearted and chipper.  He was a prankster and loved spending time with family.  He enjoyed camping all of his life.  He bought property along the Illinois River near Grove, Ok.  He and Daisy spent lots of summer days at this property.  In his later years he enjoyed taking care of his yard and loved riding around on his riding mower, so much so that today his riding mower tires are bald.

Vaughn is preceded in death by his mother Ada in 1943, father Clarence in 1980, step-mother Maude, Son James Wayne in 1962, son Paul Leroy in 1982. His brothers Lloyd, Calvin, Elwayne, and sisters Phyllistine Evans, and Velma Lee West.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years Daisy Lou, sister Carolyn, brother in-law Jim Hill, cousin Jack Young, son Ricky and wife Stefanie, grandchildren Timothy and wife Kristy, Cassandra and husband Beau, Curtis and wife Tiffany and great-grandchildren Tyler 17, Kalli 15, Carson 15 Daisy Mei 8, Laney Lou 6, Kurtis 13, and Alexander 12, and lots of nieces and nephews and cousins.