John E. McLaughlin

John Edward McLaughlin, age 95, of Gold Canyon AZ, died on December 31, 2024, the end of his earthly life of honor to God, family, and country. 

John was born on September 29, 1929, in Wewoka OK, to Edward Andrew McLaughlin and Anna Regina Muhleman McLaughlin. John graduated from St. Gregory HS, an all-boys boarding school run by Benedictine monks in Shawnee OK. He earned his Bachelor of General Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

John married Katherine (Kay) D Souza on March 31, 1951, in Salem IL.  John enjoyed a 26-year career with the US Air Force, enlisting as a Private in 1948, stationed in Germany during the Berlin airlift, in Japan, Korea, Okinawa, and at air bases across the US. John retired as a Lt Col in Mesa AZ.  John and Kay shared 71 adventurous, happy years of marriage. 

John enjoyed noisy family gatherings with plentiful food and spirits, particularly with his 6 sons around the table swapping stories.  He cherished holiday traditions, calls with his sisters, maintaining his home, playing golf and fishing.  Late in life, he took up cooking and vegetable gardening. He was active in Christ the King parish life and Knights of Columbus.  He was proud to be Irish; he kissed the Blarney Stone in 2000.

John was preceded in death by his newborn son Patrick and his wife Katherine (Kay).  John is survived by his daughter Carol (James) Armes of Gold Canyon AZ, sons John A. (Amy) McLaughlin of Chandler AZ, Michael (Karen) McLaughlin of Goodyear AZ, David McLaughlin of Seguin TX, Frank (Kristen) McLaughlin of Gilbert AZ, Philip (Kara) McLaughlin and Paul (Kristi) McLaughlin, both of Mesa AZ; granddaughters Amanda, Kelsey, Kelly and Ashley McLaughlin and Brooke Overstreet and grandsons Matt and Mark, Alexander, Philip and Cody McLaughlin; great-grandchildren Emily Kay, Tyson and Taylor McLaughlin, Knox and Summer Overstreet.  John is also survived by his sisters Anna E aka Betty (Charles) Parker of Big Timber MT, Loretta K Garich of Allen TX, Rose Mary (Charles) Sens of St Louis MO and Patricia Wright of Streator IL; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

A Memorial Mass will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1551 E Dana Ave, Mesa AZ 85204 on January 24, 2025, at 11 am.   In lieu of flowers, John asked that memorial donations be made to Knights of Columbus, Council #3419, c/o Christ the King Church, 1551 E Dana Ave, Mesa AZ 85204.

John’s ashes will be laid to rest with his wife Kay’s at Green Acres Cemetery, 401 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale AZ.