Thomas Gray Vaught was born on Jan. 2, 1948, in Kansas City, Missouri and he died on Feb. 20, 2026, in Bradenton, Florida at the age of 78.
Tom is survived by his wife of 25 years, Darcy Lee Marquis (Vaught), of Bradenton; his brother, Michael Vaught, of Bradenton, his daughter, Jennifer Vaught, of Denver, Colorado; his adopted daughter, Katie Vaught, of Denver, and Katie’s children Hailey, Lindsay and Callum Bischof.
Tom was predeceased by his parents, Alice Carolyne and Gilbert Gray Vaught.
In 1963, Tom, Michael and their mother moved to Denver, Colorado. He graduated from high school and joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1968, serving from 1968-70 in Vietnam.
In 1971, he became a writer and reporter for KBTR-AM radio in Denver and graduated from Metropolitan State University in Denver with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and business.
He moved to Anna Maria Island in 1993 and was a reporter and photographer at the Island Free Press, The Dolphin and The Bradenton Herald, where he created the New Home section. Tom worked at The Anna Maria Island Sun from 2000 to 2020. During his career, he was recognized with many state press awards for his local news coverage.
Tom and Darcy married on Easter Sunday, April 15, 2001, on a beach in Holmes Beach. Their passion for each other was echoed in their dancing at American Legion events and local fundraisers and events.
Tom’s compassion for his fellow human beings was contagious and endearing. He was a proud Marine, man, reporter and husband. Semper Fi.
Robert Toale and Sons is handling the arrangements and services will be announced. His burial at Manasota Memorial Park in Bradenton and military honors at the Kirby Pelot Stewart American Legion Post 24 in Bradenton are being planned.
