Retired Delaware Supreme Court Justice James T. Vaughn, Jr. died Thursday, the Delaware Judiciary announced.
“Our thoughts are with Justice Vaughn’s family and friends and all those who worked with him during his more than 25 years of service on the Delaware bench,” a news release said Friday.
According to Chief Justice Collins J. Seitz, Jr. in the release, “When he retired less than two years ago, I said the Court would miss Justice Vaughn’s hard work, steady hand and unflappable nature.
“That has proven to be true. Justice Vaughn has left an indelible mark on Delaware’s legal landscape.
“The Delaware Supreme Court and Superior Court are grateful for his long service to the citizens of Delaware.”
Justice Vaughn, 75, first joined the bench in 1998 as the Resident Judge for Kent County Superior Court. He was later elevated to the position of President Judge of Superior Court in 2004. Gov. Jack Markell then appointed him to the Supreme Court in October 2014 and he retired from the bench in May 2023, the release said.
According to the release, in his letter to the governor stating his intention to step down, he wrote, in his typically understated style, “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve … I will always appreciate the memories of working with my colleagues on the bench and with court staff in our efforts to maintain the rule of law in this state. I leave with a sense of satisfaction that I have done my best to discharge the duties of the judicial offices I have held.”
Justice Vaughn, the son of long-serving Delaware State Senator James T. Vaughn Sr., cut a path of his own in state government on the Delaware Courts. His softspoken style and calm demeanor sometimes masked his unmistakable and unshakable, no-nonsense approach to the rule of law, the release said.
Prior to joining the bench, Justice Vaughn spent 22 yea as an attorney in private practice in civil and criminal law, first at Vaughn & Vaughn, in 1976, then at Vaughn and Nicholas before joining the firm of Schmittinger and Rodriguez in 1988, the release said.
Justice Vaughn also served as a member of the Clayton Town Council from 1979 to 1989, including three years as its president. He was then elected to the Smyrna School Board, serving from 1989 to1994, including three years as that board’s president, the release said.
A U.S. Army veteran and Delaware native, Justice Vaughn received his B.A. from Duke University, graduating magna cum laude in 1971, and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 1976. He graduated from J.B. Moore High School in Smyrna in 1967, the release said.
According to Delaware Gov. John Carney in a statement issued Friday, “Tracey and I are saddened to hear of the passing of Former Supreme Court Justice James T. Vaughn Jr.
“Justice Vaughn worked hard to uphold the values of the Delaware Courts for more than 25 years as a member of the Kent County Superior Court, the Delaware Superior Court, and later the Delaware Supreme Court.
“In all of these roles, he was the epitome of a true public servant and gentleman — kind, welcoming, and thoughtful. Justice Vaughn was the son of the late James T. Vaughn Sr. who served his community for 27 years as a State Senator.
“We are keeping the Vaughn family and friends in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
The announcement said Gov. Carney will order State of Delaware flags to be lowered in accordance with services. The flag lowering notification will be released when a funeral date has been announced.
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