Obituary of Charles Austin McLaughlin Jr.

Charles Austin McLaughlin, Jr. passed away September 1, 2020 in Shelton, Washington, where he was born July 28, 1932, to Charles Austin Sr. and Thelma Evelyn (Lough) McLaughlin.  Over the years, he also lived in California, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Kansas, Arizona, and Illinois.

 

Charles graduated from Centralia High School.  He served in the U.S. Air Force (1952-1957), stationed at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas, and Chanujde AFB in Illinois.  He received a National Defense Service Medal/Good Conduct Medal.  Professionally, he worked as a rocket and missile tech at the Boeing Company, and also for the Washington State Highway Department, from which he retired. 

 

Charles was caring and generous to everyone he met. He loved traveling, rock collecting, gold panning, beach combing, gardening, fishing, camping, horseback riding, and watching or reading westerns.

 

He is survived by his wife, Penny J. Arsenault-McLaughlin; son, Joe McLaughlin; daughter, Elaine McLaughlin; five grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; brothers, Edward McLaughlin and Richard McLaughlin; and sister, Patricia Denny.  He was predeceased by a grandson, Jerry Lee Warner; his sister, Charlene McLaughlin; his parents; and grandparents, Edward G. and Nollie (Alderson) McLaughlin, Jacob H. Lough III and Azalia May (Danner) Lough.

 

A graveside service will be held Thursday, September 10, 1:00 p.m. at Claquato Cemetery, 142 Sterns Road, Chehalis, WA 98532.

 

Memorial donations are suggested to your local hospice care organization.

 

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