James R. Mclaughlin

James R. McLaughlin died on Monday, March 19, 2012 at the Hickory Creek Nursing Home in Greensburg. He was born on September 25, 1921, in Madison Indiana, the son of Robert E. and Virgie (Green) McLaughlin. He graduated from Central High School in Madison, Indiana in 1939. During WWII he served in the Army in Europe at the Battle of the Bulge and in Normandy. After discharge he enlisted in the Air Force Reserves for ten years, serving two years in the Korean War as a radio operator in planes flying equipment to Hawaii and Japan. On February 22, 1946 he married Lois E. (Anderson) McLaughlin and they have resided in Greensburg ever since that time. They had a son, Alan McLaughlin, and a daughter Sally (Baker) Frykman. James was a member of the United Methodist Church and member and former president of the Lion's Club. He was one of the organizers for Little League in the city. James was also a member Greensburg Country Club for over sixty five years serving on numerous committees and as an officer for the club. He also served for many years on the Greensburg City Council and as acting Mayor during the Centennial year. As a young boy, James worked on his father's dairy farm in Madison, Indiana. After the war he worked as an electrician. Later, James and his wife owned and managed the Decatur Appliance Store in Greensburg for thirteen years. Following that period, for several years he was the plant manager for Randall Corporation, Division of Textron, in Madison and Vevay, Indiana. Following that experience he worked as a sales representative for Public Service in Greensburg until 1986, when he retired. In 1961 he bought a farm and moved to the country with his family, where he raised cattle as a hobby until 1999. James was preceded in death by his mother and father and his brother Glenford (Jack) McLaughlin, and his great-grand daughter Kortney Snyder . He is survived by his wife Lois, son Alan (Cindy) McLaughlin of Greensburg, and daughter Sally (Tim) Frykman of Dunwoody, Georgia. Survivors include three sisters: Evelyn Graves, Escondido, California; Susie (Bert) Green and Janet Powers of Greensburg, Indiana. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Debbie (Jeff) Snyder; James A. (Dana) McLaughlin; Lauren(Chad) Gill; and Lindsey (Danny) McIntosh. Other survivors include four step-grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, three step-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. The Memorial Service, "Celebration of Life for James R. McLaughlin" will be held at 2:00PM on April 14, 2012, at the Greensburg United Methodist Church. The service will be followed by a visitation with the family and dinner in the Social Hall of the church. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Hospice of Decatur County or Greensburg United Methodist Church.