Thomas "Tom" McLaughlin

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Tom McLaughlin, age 86, was born on April 4, 1935, and passed away on April 11, 2021. A memorial service with full military honors will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery with immediate family members present.

Tom was a man who loved his family dearly. He was preceded in death by his son, Mark McLaughlin. Tom is survived by his wife, Jane; children, Luann Chain (Jim), Sandy Sutterfield, Tom P. McLaughlin, Patty Metzger (Joe), Kerry Clark; 17 grandchildren, and 27 great grandchildren. Tom was very proud of the legacy that he and his wife, Jane, started 65 years ago. He would often look lovingly at his wife and proudly say, “Janey, look at what we started!”

Grandpa Tom loved his grandkids and great grandkids. He enjoyed spoiling them with treats, especially gum, cookies, and ice cream. He always had gum with him when he knew he
would be seeing the grandkids. Even the neighbor kids called him “Grandpa Gum.” He made the best chocolate malts for his grandkids and great grandkids. Grandpa had a great sense of humor and loved telling Ole and Lena jokes. A fond memory of one of his grandsons, is that Grandpa liked to watch football with him. Grandpa always had a smile on his face when he spent time with the grandkids.

Tom was proud to serve our country for 35 years. He served in both the Marine Corps and the US Air Force. He was a member of the 133rd Airlift Wing.

Tom enjoyed vacationing in Florida and South Padre Island in his retirement. He liked Mexican food and Red Lobster. Tom enjoyed his home and took good care of his beautiful lawn. He enjoyed cooking food on the grill for his family, and when grilling cheeseburgers, he called them “cheeseburgers in paradise.”

Dad was often a quiet man, so when he said something you knew it was important and you listened. Dad and Mom raised their family going to church every Sunday together, and praying before every family meal. Dad set a good example to his kids by living his life as a hard worker and as a moral man. He was quiet about his faith, but we know his belief in God was strong. Dad responded with joy and thanksgiving to a letter written to him about salvation through Jesus. Toward the end of his life, as we were talking, Dad responded, “God is Almighty!” We are thankful that his wife and all of his kids were with him on his last day in this life. We are comforted to know that our dad and grandpa is in heaven, and that as believers in Jesus Christ, we will see him again in heaven, where “...God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away"
(Revelation 21:3-4).”