Howard Baughman passed away peacefully in Del Rio Texas, on Feb 5, 2022, at the age of 88.
“Papa” Howard was born on February 23, 1933 to Howard and Eleanor Baughman of Brackettville Texas. He was the eldest brother of Joe Baughman and Mary Anne Jones. After high school he joined the Marines and had the honor of serving our country in the Korean War. After completing his tour of duty he returned to the area where he became a fire fighter for the City of Del Rio. He met and married Darrylene Earwood Baughman and had a beloved daughter, Sharon Ann Vaughan (Glen). After working for the fire department for 20 years, he became the Fire Chief and went on to serve as Chief, for 20 additional years. Howard proudly served 33 years as a Guest Instructor for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension (TEEX) Municipal Annual Fire School. After his first wife passed, he reconnected with and married Edna Baughman. He became a step-father to David Harrison (Connie), Barbara Schutkesting (Fred) and Melissa Layton. After retiring from the Del Rio Fire Department, you may have had the chance of running into him at our local Walmart, where he became the lovable greeter everyone knew as “Chief”. Howard also wrote his autobiography titled “Twenty on Twenty” and enjoyed being our family’s professional photographer during all our important milestones.
Howard always took time to make everyone around him feel special and included. If I could sum Papa up in one word it would be, SERVICE. I think he summed it up best by an excerpt from his book, “Firefighting gets in your blood, like fishing or playing golf and most likely will never come out.” He truly loved to serve his country, family and the community of Del Rio. He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Howard Baughman was proceeded in death by his parents, Howard and Eleanor, wife Darrylene, daughter Sharon Ann, siblings Joe and Mary Anne and great-grand daughter June Pearl Gurley.
He is survived by his wife Edna Baughman, Glen, Chelsea (Gurley) and Shelby Vaughan, son David Harrison and wife Connie, daughter Barbara Schutkesting and husband Fred, daughter Melissa Layton. Along with many wonderful grandchildren and great- grandchildren.
With Heavy hearts but in celebration of such a remarkable man, the Howard Baughman family invite you to join them for the following services in remembrance of their husband, father and Papa at the Church of Christ on Friday Feb. 18th at 2 PM with internment of ashes at grave site at Westlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to
Guest Instructors’ Memorial
Emergency Services Training Institute
PO Box 40006
College Station, TX 77842-4006
Make Checks Payable to: Brayton Fire Instructor Memorial Donation Fund
