Meeks Bringle Vaughan, of Kingsport, TN, died January 10, 2010. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, he received his bachelor’s degree from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Meeks served his country during WWII in the U.S. Army, serving as Intelligence Officer in the 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron. He was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of Captain. He was employed by Slip-Not Belting Company from 1947-1963. In 1955 he co-founded Valley Equipment Company with partner Roy Robertson. Following his resignation from Slip-Not, he worked at Valley Equipment until selling his equity interest to the Robertson family in 1986 and retired in 1995.