In 1958 Oklahoma Christian College hired Raymond Vaughn Sr. to serve as their Athletic Director, Basketball Coach and Track Coach. In 1961, Vaughn purchased 40 acres on the corner of Memorial and Eastern Ave. and moved his family into the little ranch house on the property. While next door to the OCC campus, the location was perfect for raising their son, Raymond Jr. and their daughter, Lynn, complete with acres to roam, fishing pond, waterfall, and large shade trees - Elms and Oaks.

Raymond Sr’s wife, Sue, quickly inserted herself into the OCC community and proved to be a generous host and entertainer of other families on their property for meals, parties and Christian fellowship. Sue was a social whiz and tremendous cook. She became well known for her tremendous cinnamon roll recipe, sharing the delicious treats with all who would stop by for a visit. They became a welcomed and dependable staple in the OCC community.

In 1963, The Vaughns donated land for the new College Church of Christ (now Memorial Road Church of Christ) to be built, which was a church plant from the Edmond Church of Christ in order to reach the new students pouring into the Edmond to attend OCC. The Tealridge Manor Retirement Community came along in 1990 to join the Vaughn property landscape.

While Ray Sr passed away in 1980 and Sue passed away in 2005, Ray Jr and Lynn (Mitchell) remain proud stewards of this great property and are excited to share it with the rest of Oklahoma. The third generation has stepped up to care for this property and run the venue to ensure the Vaughn family legacy continues. Elms and Oaks Venue is excited to invite many newcomers to the Vaughn property to celebrate the many different milestone that life has to offer. Memories with loved ones is one of God’s purest gifts to humanity and the Vaughn and Mitchell families are proud to share in those experiences.