By Cara Cowan Watts | Cherokee 411
April 4, 1939 – June 2, 2026
Vinita, Oklahoma
Cherokee Nation
Harold George Vaughn, Jr. former Craig County Sheriff and State Representative, passed away Tuesday morning, June 2, 2026, at his home. He was born April 4, 1939, in Vinita, known only as “Baby Boy Vaughn” on his birth certificate until January 17, 1995, when it was amended. George was the son of Harold and Mary (Griffith) Vaughn, the oldest of six children. George grew up and went to school in White Oak and Englewood, Colorado, most years but never completed a year at the same school. He graduated from Sheridan Union High School in 1957. George then went on to Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri on a basketball scholarship. On April 22, 1963, George became an ordained minister. He preached at Carter Baptist Church for several years, filled in as interim at Calvary Baptist Church some and retired from preaching at Dupree Community Baptist Church after 20 plus year. On June 6, 1958, George married Leah Taylor, to that union six children were born, Rebekah, Jason, Nathan, Rachel, Donna, and Julie.
George started his law enforcement career working nights for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, while hauling hay during the day.
In November of 1969 George was elected the youngest Sheriff in the State of Oklahoma. After being elected two terms, he then quit to run for the State Legislature. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1974. George was instrumental in many key areas. He was part of co-authoring House Bill 1017 the educational reform act, which gave teachers their first big raise and restructured many areas of education. While in office George fought hard and always won to keep Eastern State Hospital open in Vinita. He was able to get many old one lane bridges replaced with modern two lane bridges, throughout his district. George was able to get Northeast Oklahoma Correctional Facility in Vinita, again bringing several jobs to Vinita. George also brought controversy to the State House, getting into a physical altercation over who was to be the Chaplain for the week. George ended up falling over a spittoon and receiving a small cut over his eye. That spittoon now resides in the Smithsonian Institute. In 1995, after 21 years of service, George retired as Majority Whip from the legislature, also being second in seniority, unbeaten in a legislative election.
