 As a donor through The Tissue Center of Central Texas, Brandon is still giving of himself to others. His corneas and ligaments were donated to give someone else (an unknown person he would call 'friend') the opportunity to see and walk the road of 'Life' as he did. |
Hoopin4Life Foundation
Brandon's Story & Legacy
William Brandon Demery Vaughn
March 21, 1989 ~December 16, 2008
THE BEGINNING
William Brandon Demery Vaughn was born on March 21, 1989 in Round Rock, Texas. From a single parent home, he and his older sister, Elyzabeth Nicole Demery-Casey (Nikki), learned many lessons about faith, family and life, through the love, strong hand and strict discipline of his mother, Dolores E. Demery. At the age of 4, the family moved to Tokyo Japan and Brandon attended a Japanese daycare where he became fluent in the Japanese language. That was the beginning of him learning to love and accept others, even if you were ‘outwardly’ different than himself. He had many playmates there, and always introduced others as ‘his friend’. Upon the family’s return to the US, he fell deeply in love with the bounce of the basketball. Inside, outside, cold days, steamy days – he didn’t care, he just had to hear that bounce. He was his own best coach, teaching himself to ‘take it to the hole’. Despite his slim stature, he loved and learned everything about the game of basketball, and was an avid San Antonio Spurs fan. Through his love for the sport, he played in many community leagues and sports camps (Spurs of course), but was not able to play in high school because he was told he was ‘too small’. But what they didn’t see was his heart for the game! His earthly dream was to play college basketball and to become a basketball coach.
He was the typical teenager - playful, always hungry, not too serious about several things, wouldn't clean his room and truly hated when Mom got 'in his business' (which she did often) especially when it came to how he was spending his money. But, he was just beginning to experience some of life's bumps and he began to realize that Mom & Pop really did know a 'little bit' about life in the things she taught and the conversations she'd have with him (even about car maintenance), and in the guidance Pop tried to give - 'man-to-man'.
GOD’S EARLY CALL
Not only did his heart yearn to play ball, but it also beat loudly for the Lord. At an early age, Brandon demonstrated his love and passion for Christ. God placed several devoted and spirit filled ministers in Brandon’s path to help nurture the seed that had been planted in him. Rev. Leonard K. Jones (Pastor, Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Austin TX) through God’s insight, began calling Brandon ‘Little Preacher’ as a toddler. True to God’s will, Brandon confessed his love and acceptance of the Lord in his life at the young age of seven and received salvation. He was baptised by Rev. R.D. Smith (Pastor, Mr. Rose Missionary Baptist Church, Bastrop TX). As he grew into adolescence and young adulthood, Brandon was spiritually guided by several godly leaders and friends in the ministry. Rev. Bernard Buhl (Pastor, One Way Baptist Church, Round Rock TX), Rev. Howard Davis (uncle), Rev. Nathan DeBord and several others were used by God for a specific and dynamic role in Brandon’s development, and in helping him to keep his passion for what the Lord had called him to do.
In the summer of 2007, he accepted his calling and commission from God to preach His word and to “teach all nations and make disciples”. And Brandon did just that – he cared not about race, ethnicity, color or gender. No matter where he went, he never met a stranger – everyone became his friend. In August of 2008, Brandon preached his first (and only) formal sermon (The Doctor is Within; Matt. 7: 21–23). But, everyday Brandon’s life ministered to all he met, through his amazing gift to reach other young adults to help them learn of, and want to live for, Jesus Christ. If not through his words, then he spoke through his music – Christian Rap (he was always jamming to his Christian tunes). And, he was especially excited to be able to capture the attention of young children and to teach them about God’s love for them, through God’s light that shone in him. His heavenly goal was to spread the good news of (and for) the Lord, to all he met. But little did he realize the impact he was making on some many people (all ages). As he stated to his Mom one evening, “I just want to make a positive difference in the lives of those around me, and I don’t see that I’m doing that.” Her advice to him was, “…as long as you believe you’re doing what God would have you to do for others, keep doing what you’re doing because you just have to plant the seeds that God has to water.” She even said to him that “he may not ever see the impact he had on others, but God would, and that He would be pleased with his efforts.” Not even his Mom knew how soon that statement would be fulfilled. Brandon’s love for God, life and others is evident through his ‘MySpace’ and ‘Facebook’ pages. These pages are just a glimpse of his heart-warming, free-spirited and fun-loving personality.
GOD’S FINAL CALL
After graduating from Stony Point High School (2007) in Round Rock, TX, he pursued his desires and attended The University of Texas at San Antonio, where he majored in Kinesiology and minored in Mathematics. His freshman year was a fun year for him. He was out of the house (except for every weekend when he’d make his way home to eat) and he was able to get a hint of “adult life”.
There he played intramural basketball, flag-football, and worked in the Campus Rec Center (his 2nd home). With his outgoing, fun-loving spirit and beautiful smile, he made many ‘best’ friends (classmates and staff alike) in just his first year of attendance. However, his grades suffered (due to his ‘social and playful’ personality) and he returned home in the spring of 2008 to attend Austin Community College to improve his grades, and be closer to his family. But, that did not hamper his dreams to play collegiate basketball, while striving to become the best collegiate coach of all times.
He worked as an official Basketball Referree for the Texas Association of Sports Officials. He worked at the Learning Tree Day School as the swim instructor and coach for the summer. He then stayed on to be the ‘after-school teacher’ because he didn’t want to leave the kids, or Miss Jackie. This same daycare, ironically, is the one that he attended during his elementary years, and the one that helped to nurture and mold him into the loving, caring spirit he grew to be and now gave back to ‘his’ kids there. In between church, his jobs, and a basketball court anywhere - he still found time to convince the Head Coach of the Huston-Tilliotson University Rams (in Austin, Texas) to let him 'practice' with the team in hopes of becoming a 'walk-on' team member. Brandon being Brandon - with his winning smile, irresistible personality and obvious love for the game, won the Coach's attention and made him a believer (of Brandon's dreams) after only three 'practices'. On December 13, 2008 the Coach prepared an athletic scholarship to offer Brandon for the Spring 2009 semester, and 'finally' (for Brandon) part of his dream would be fulfilled with the opportunity to play collegiate ball.
Brandon continued to meet and change lives everywhere he went. His most recent ‘best friend’ was James Jackson, Jr who shared many of the same interests and personality traits as Brandon (for life, family, and basketball). They hit it off immediately as friends, and even shared birthdays that were only a year and a few days apart from each other. They were destined to become forever friends.
On a Tuesday afternoon, December 16, 2008, God’s Will for Brandon and James was fulfilled. While returning from refereeing a basketball game, Brandon’s earthly life (at the age of 19) and that of his new best friend, James Jackson Jr (age 18), sadly ended in a car accident, in which Brandon was driving. The bond they shared, and the love they showed and gave so freely to so many others will forever leave footprints in our hearts.
However, the greatest gift in this tragic ending is to have one hurting parent say to the other hurting parent - "I am not angry with Brandon for the loss of my son. Because of their friendship, James had re-accepted Christ back into his life". With that, if God doesn't do anything else, he's already done enough, and has greatly blessed our lives through these two awesome young Christian men.
In their death, God’s glory is forever exemplified in the life they lived for Christ and the continued outpouring of love expressed by the many lives they touched.
BRANDON’S LEGACY
Brandon leaves a legacy rich in love and outreach. Love for his family, extended-family, friends, basketball and most of all, love for his God. Through his young, life he has shown us what real love for others is to look like. He has shown us that if we just look beyond the surface, anyone has something to offer everyone. No matter where we might find ourselves in life, all we have to do is reach out, offer a hand to those in need of mental, emotional, physical and spiritual assistance, and leave it to them to reach back and take our outstretched hand. It is that small act of kindness that may in turn lead them to offer a hand to someone else in need - thereby continuing the process, spreading the joy and sharing the love - of life.
This Foundation and Scholarship Program are therefore, built on Brandon’s legacy. It is our mission to be a 'positive difference’ in the lives of students who desire, and are driven, to reach their educational and career goals. In helping them with their achievements, it is our hope that they will, in turn 'pass it on' - reach out to help others in any small way possible, spreading the gift of love and becoming a 'positive' difference in the life of someone else - to keep Brandon's legacy alive for years to come.
OUR PRIVACY POLICY
Share This Page
