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Funeral service will be 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Kendall Chapel AME Church, Winnabow, NC.  Burial will follow in the Dark Branch Cemetery.  Visitation is 5:30-8:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Leroy Vaught, Jr., affectionately known as "Tenderfoot" on the job and "Pappy" in the community, peacefully transitioned into eternal rest on October 7, 2025, at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center after a long illness. He was 80 years old. Leroy was born on April 4, 1945, in Brunswick County, North Carolina, to the late Dora Taylor Vaught and the late Leroy Vaught, Sr.  He grew up in the tight-knit Dark Branch Community, where he developed the values of hard work, humility, and service that would guide his life. A proud graduate of Brunswick County Training School, Class of 1963, Leroy answered the call to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1965. During his four years and three months of service, he earned an accommodation ribbon for heroically saving the life of a fellow sailor—a testament to his courage and quick action. After his honorable discharge, Leroy pursued further education at Cape Fear Community College, earning certifications in welding, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration. He went on to work with the International Longshoremen's Association for an impressive 54 years, beginning in 1969 and retiring in 2023. His dedication and work ethic left a lasting impact on the docks and in the hearts of his fellow workers. Leroy was known throughout the community not only for his work but for his green thumb. As an avid gardener, he lovingly cultivated fruits, vegetables, and flowers that he generously shared with neighbors, friends, and anyone in need. If you lived nearby, you would likely taste the literal fruits of his labor. A man of deep faith, Leroy was a lifelong member of Kendall Chapel AME Church. He served faithfully in many capacities: as a Steward, a member and Vice President of the Lay Organization, a Male Associate of the Women's Missionary Society, and a joyful voice in the Gospel Choir. In April of 1971, Leroy married the love of his life, JoAnn Singletary Vaught. Together, they raised three children and built a life rooted in love, faith, and family. Leroy was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, a faithful friend, and a steadfast Christian. His presence brought wisdom, humor, and warmth to every room he entered. He was preceded in death by five siblings: Eleanor Vaught, Geraldine Spruill, John Vaught, Lewis Vaught, Sr., and Hezekiah Vaught, Sr.  Leroy's memory will be cherished forever by his beloved wife JoAnn Vaught; their three children: Timmy Vaught, La'Quana Vaught, and Alexis Saunders; four grandchildren: Malcolm Vaught, Kayla Vaught, Chelsea Saunders, and Dwayne Saunders, Jr.; one great-grandson: Tyson Vaught; one brother: David Vaught; one sister-in-law: Gwendolyn Vaught; two uncles: Eugene (Mamie) Vaught, Sr., Joseph Vaught, Jr.; one aunt: Lottie Lucas; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends and church family.