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Chester “Chet” DeVaughn, (Pappy) 76 of Lincoln, passed away May 23, 2026.  Chet was born on October 25, 1949, in Hastings, Nebraska to Chester E. and Hazel (Lovercheck) DeVaughn.  

Chet graduated from McCook High School in 1968. Chet's basketball talent offered multiple scholarships to play basketball at the collegiate level.  UNL offered him a scholarship but he ended up accepting a full ride athletic scholarship to the University of Colorado at Greeley.  He excelled as a player and a scout for the university while earning his degree in education.   He would later earn his Masters Degree from Northwest Missouri State.  

Chet began his teaching and coaching career in Eads, Colorado in 1972 where he taught for 9 years and coached boys basketball.  While in Eads, he married Donna Popejoy on December 23, 1973.  

Their next stop was in 1981 at Auburn, Nebraska where he taught and coached boys basketball for 14 years.  The family then returned to McCook in 1995 where he was a professor at McCook Community College for 20 years.  He also coached girls basketball for a few years and then served as Athletic Director.  

He retired in 2015 and then moved to Lincoln in 2019 to be close to their children and grandchildren.    

Chet was known for his love of nature as he enjoyed being outdoors and doing activities such as camping and fishing and watching storms.   He was rich in his love for his family, friends, and his dogs as well as many other dogs.  He was a funny, quirky person who was always ready to have fun.  He enjoyed his career as a teacher and coach and guiding youth.  He had an excellent memory, strong faith and a strong work ethic.  His family will miss his weather updates and his sense of humor.  

Chet is survived by his wife Donna and their four children:  Cori Hughes; Gwyn (husband Kurt) Sorensen; Preston (wife Lindsey) DeVaughn and Danae (husband Jeremy) Escher; 15 grandchildren: Dillon, Harper, Ella, Liam, Grant, Josiah, Micah, Mallory, Hadley, Cameron, Emma, Noah, Evva and Eden and sisters Lawauna (husband Keith) Hardy and Nancy (husband Dan) Schwerey.  

He is preceded in death by his parents and nephew Zachary Popejoy.  

The funeral service were held Friday, May 29, 2026, at Butherus Maser and Love Funeral Home, in Lincoln NE.

Memorials are suggested to McCook College Foundation / P.O. Box 195 / McCook, NE  69001 or Red Willow Animal Clinic / 38293 US Hwy 6 / McCook, NE  69001

Service arrangements were under the direction of Butherus Maser and Love Funeral Home