Jay Allen Laughlin, 54, died March 9 at his home in Elliston, of natural causes.
He was baptized Catholic and served as an altar boy. He served his country in the Army National Guard and fulfilled his duty with an honorable discharge. He went on to pursue body work; his last project was completed on his aunt and uncle’s 1968 Dodge Charger.
He continued into Architectural Engineering and designing of homes, building of homes and remodeling, and from design to blueprints, one home can be seen at the bottom of MacDonald Pass.
For 20 years, he was a volunteer firefighter for the Elliston Fire Department and helped build the fire station. Jay leaves behind his daughter, BJ (Jayleen) Laughlin, who married Roy Lacour on Oct. 5, 2012. His pride and joy were his two grandchildren, Matthew and Serena.
He also leaves behind his son, Vaughan; Mother and Pops, Dena and Gary Strader; his wife, Karol; two brothers, Chuck and Ron; his sisters, Theresa and Cindy; his special cousin, (brother) Brian Ahl; Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Frank; and his best friends since childhood, Wayne Antila and Robert Quigley.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, at the Elliston gym. Jay requested come as you are!
Jim & Denise Backstrom says
Jay was just the best. always a hard worker & always wit a smile greeting you. He loved the practical jokes he & Jim used to do while working together but never let it interfere with their job. He died too young. He will be missed..
Randy Lauri says
I will never forget the times we would attack each other.
One day, Jay grabbed one of my Son’s plastic toy screwdriver. He started jabbing me with it. Naturally I grabbed a plastic toy adjustable wrench. We went at each other, rolling on the floor, stabbing and laughing until one of us swept the leg of the dining room table which sent my wife’s new sewing machine crashing to the floor.
Great times, now great memories.