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After a long, four-year battle with several ailments, Jerome Vaught passed away peacefully in the comfort of his own home with his loving twin sister, hospice, and caring staff by his side, Wednesday, June 14, 2023.
Although given an automatic pass to the front line as someone born with Jerome’s challenges deserves, his road has not always been paved. His Mama tried as hard as she could, but made the difficult, necessary decision to place Jerome with skilled workers, and woefully separating him from his family at a young age. Though separated by space, they were always connected by love, and he certainly loved his family.
“Jerry” as the family called him, was reunited with his twin sister around their 16th birthday. Years later he transitioned through a group facility before finally returning to his hometown with the support of family and staff. With this support, Jerome was allowed to blossom into the ray of sunshine many knew him as.
The more time spent with Jerome, the more he would become a part of that person’s life for the better. He easily became best buds or even family to those he met, bringing a genuine smile to anyone fortunate to have met him. Everyone remembers Jerome!
Though facing challenges of his own, Jerome was not a stranger to giving back to his community. He helped deliver meals on wheels, worked with the good folks at The Clinic Pharmacy, along with countless other endeavors. Jerome lived an active, meaningful life.
Jerome excelled at being the fun uncle to his twin sister’s two boys. Whether “human bowling” on the trampoline or surprise tickle attacks, time with Jerome meant times of boundless joy. And if you were fortunate to watch “Grease” with Jerome, you would bear witness to John Travolta himself in that room with you as Jerome sang and danced all movie long.
Music and dancing were the two things Jerome loved to do most in the world. Even the rules of church services couldn’t stop Jerome from doing what he loved. To the surprise of many a pastor and congregation, Jerome would mosey down to the front to sing, dance, and even preach in his own words. Occasionally pastors during one of these moments would wryly offer him the mic…to their surprise he would readily accept.
So as Jerome leaves this world and hands over his front-line pass, we can all take solace in knowing that he is up on the “big stage” singing a song to his Mama!
Thank you to all those who were able to participate, share, and help Jerome live a full and happy life. Especially to family, all the professionals, staff and those that took him into their families as one of their own.
Jerome was preceded in death by his mom, Ruby (Cluster) Havens; his dad, Paul Vaught; brothers, Ronnie and Benny Palmer; his cherished, Aunt Pauline (Vaught) Kever; his niece Mary Palmer; his great-niece, Sydney Edminsten and many aunts and uncles.
He is survived by his twin sister, Jada (Vaught) Young and husband Jeff; his brothers, Dan Vaught and wife Debbie and Robert Palmer; his sisters, Lori (Vaught) Edminsten and husband Terry, Renda (Palmer) Kever and husband John; his nieces, Tara (Edminsten) Grace and husband James, Deana (Edminsten) Voltra and husband Troy, Amanda and Lindsay Vaught, Ruby Palmer, Jamie Palmer and Betty (Palmer) Romerez; his nephews, Jared Vaught, Paul and Mark Norrell, Henry, Ronnie and Jared Palmer; and many cousins, great-nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma at 5231 W. Wilshire Blvd #130, Oklahoma City, OK 73116, DSACO.org…there’s another flower waiting to bloom.
Memorial Service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel with Terry Edminsten officiating under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.
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