Tricia Yvette "Trish" Vaught, age 42, of Cassville, Missouri, passed away Thursday, April 3, 2008, in St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield, Missouri. She was born April 23, 1965, in Springfield, Missouri, the daughter of Max and Yvonne (Writer) Stumpff. On October 8, 1987, she was united in marriage to David Vaught, who survives. She is also survived by her parents of Cassville; three sons, Brant, Braiden and Brody Vaught all of the home; a step-son, Jeff Vaught of Cassville; one sister, Tonya Sanders and her husband, Shane of Rogers, Arkansas; grandmother, June Stumpff of Cassville; a step-grandson, Trey; a niece, Remington Sanders; a special "auntie", uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandmother; grandfathers and a cousin. Trish, as most people knew her, was a 1983 graduate of Cassville High School. She was a graduate of Crowder College at Neosho and received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She was a loving wife and mother and dedicated her life to home schooling her boys and supporting them in all their baseball, rodeo, football and boy scouts activities. For twelve years she served as president of the Cassville Baseball League. She was a member of Barry County Historical Society. She was saved on June 4, 1975 and baptized on August 20, 1978 and was a member of First Baptist Church in Cassville. As most of her life was spent giving to others, Trish continued her giving to the Gift of Life on April 4, 2008. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, April 7, 2008, in Cassville First Baptist Church, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Reverend Jerry Nickle and Reverend James Weaver will conduct the services. Burial will be in Corinth Cemetery, Cassville. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday in Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Contributions may be made to a College Fund for her children in memory of Trish. FOHN FUNERAL HOME Cassville, Missouri 417-847-2141

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Tricia {Stumpff} Vaught Remembered
New sign unveiled at park On May 3, the Cassville Baseball League held a special memorial celebration in honor of Tricia Vaught, who served as the League’s president for the last 12 years and passed away on April 3. During the special opening ceremony event, Cassville Mayor Tracy Holle announced that Cassville City Park field #1 will now be referred to as Tricia’s Field. Randy Henderson donated materials, and Arning Industries in Cassville fabricated the sign that has been placed over the scoreboard on Tricia’s Field. Charlie Steward designed the graphics, and Brian Kirk, of B & K Auto Body in Cassville, painted the customized sign. Democrat Photo

Cassville Baseball League players, coaches, parents and fans took part in a special opening day ceremony on May 3. This year, the League used the start of summer baseball to memorialize Tricia Vaught, who served as League president for the past 12 years and passed away on April 3.

“Tricia’s father, Max (Stumpff), started the League,” said League member Charlie Steward. “He and his family have run the League since 1973. Prior to becoming president, Tricia worked with Max from the time she was old enough to begin working. The people who are trying to fill in for her now are finding out every single day how much she did.”

Opening ceremonies began traditionally, as all of the 2008 Cassville Baseball League players were introduced and took their places on Cassville City Park baseball field #1. After announcing the players, Matt Tripp reminded all of the kids and parents attending the event of Tricia’s contributions to the League.

“It takes a lot of hard work and a lot of individuals to keep this program going,” said Tripp. “We owe a huge amount of gratitude to the Vaught family, especially Trish.”

Tripp invited the Vaught family to join the players on the field and then introduced Cassville Mayor Tracy Holle.

“Tricia Vaught gave her life for Cassville baseball,” said Holle. “When the games ended in the summer, the behind-the-scenes work continued for Tricia."

“Baseball meetings for the summer begin in the winter and occur regularly until the season begins,” said Holle. “It takes months and months of preparation, phone calls, meetings and e-mails. Somehow, she managed to work it all in. Baseball continued to be played seamlessly summer after summer after summer.”

Holle presented the Vaught family with a special framed proclamation that designated May 3 as Tricia Vaught Day.

“Tricia went about her business without complaint,” said Holle. “She loved what she did, and she was good at it. Tricia is missed already more than words can really describe. Today, let’s rejoice in Tricia’s memory and work hard to continue the work and dedication that was her tradition.”

Holle’s presentation was followed by the unveiling of a new sign, which is located above the Cassville City Park baseball field #1 scoreboard.

Materials for the sign were donated by Randy Stockton and fabrication was completed by Arning Industries in Cassville. Graphics for the sign were designed by Steward and painting was completed by Brian Kirk, of B & K Auto Body in Cassville.“For as long as anyone can remember this field has simply been referred to as field #1,” said Holle. “In honor of Tricia and her family, who have all sacrificed so much for Cassville baseball, let’s change that."

“Today, on behalf of the City of Cassville and the Cassville Baseball League, we are proud to rename this field and ask all of you to never refer to this field as field #1 again but from this day forward refer to this field as Tricia’s Field,” said Holle.

After a moment of silence was held, Tricia’s son, Brody, her husband, David and her father, Max, threw the first pitches of the season. Brant and Braiden Vaught, who are also Tricia’s sons, caught the first pitches.

The Cassville Baseball League players took part in the memorial celebration by proudly wearing baseball caps that displayed the letters “TV.” The embroidered letters were placed on the caps free of charge by Sports World, of Cassville.

Tricia’s niece, Remington Sanders, daughter of Dave and Tonya Sanders, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the opening ceremony.

A special memorial flag pole with a Flag of the United States of America was placed at the Cassville City Park in memory of Tricia by Max Stumpff and Cassville public works foreman Kenny Schieler. Shari Rhea placed an assortment of flowers around the flag pole.

“We had a meeting last week and someone would ask, ‘Who did this?’ and someone would say, ‘Tricia did it,’” said Steward. “Someone else would ask, ‘Who got this done?’ and someone would say, ‘Tricia did.’ People don’t realize how much that family did for Cassville baseball even when it was difficult for them to do it.”

Tricia "Trish" Yvette Stumpff Vaught (1965 - 2008) - Find A Grave Memorial