Obituary of John Eugene McLaughlin

John Eugene McLaughlin

John Eugene “Gene” McLaughlin of Austin, died Thursday, August 18, 2022. He was 91. Gene started his life journey in Wilmington, Delaware. He joined the US Navy and served four years before deciding that he should really be in the US Air Force. He had many posts in the military including Norfolk, Virginia, San Francisco, California, Newfoundland, Canada and Wichita Falls, Texas, where he met his wife of 52 years, Sandra Ann (BeSaw) McLaughlin. She then joined him on his military adventures in Corvallis, Oregon and Wethersfield, England. He served one tour in Vietnam. After England, he was posted at Bergstrom AFB in Austin.  Like so many others, he decided to stay in Austin when he retired from the Air Force in 1971. He held many jobs over the next 42 years as he was never one to be idle. He enjoyed a second retirement from The University of Texas in 1993. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Sandra, his parents, and all six of his siblings and their spouses. Survivors include his three children, son Kevin McLaughlin and wife Lisa, daughter Kathleen McLaughlin Battle and husband Frank, son Michael McLaughlin and wife Nichole; granddaughter Kelci McLaughlin and husband Raul Dominguez; granddaughter Grace Battle; brother-in-law, Larry BeSaw; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the many caregivers at SoCo Village and Halcyon Hospice for their kindness and compassion in his last years.

Services will be private.