Michael Allen Laughlin was born Aug. 3, 1946, in Stafford, Kan., to Walter and Betty (Watson) Laughlin. He passed peacefully at his home in Chehalis, Wash., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, surrounded by his family.
Michael joined the United States Navy in 1964, at the age of 17, and retired in 1988. Retirement not suiting him, he had jobs ranging from a car salesman for Dodge to working at a gas station. Later, he embarked on his next career as a long haul trucker for Post Trucking and KKW, driving from Seattle to San Diego.
Michael never met a stranger, we believe that it had something to do with his 24 year career with the U.S. Navy and 12 years as a trucker. He talked to and helped as many people as he could, whether it was giving advice to a waitress on the importance of going back to school, or giving one of the multitudes of hats that his wife made for him to a cold Veteran at the VA. His smile and laugh were infectious. He loved his family, chocolate cake with milk, rocking babies and giving his wife a hard time.
He will be forever loved and missed by his wife, Pamela Laughlin; his children, Grant Laughlin, Brent Laughlin, Brandy (Chris) Oliver, Donna (Daniel) Fuller, Emily (Bobby) Fountain, and Samantha Laughlin; grandchildren, Kailyn (Logan) Bonnell, Trenton Leigh, Jason Silvernail, Dakotah Fuller, Andy Oliver, Shelby Fuller, Waylon Oliver, Jeanell Fountain, and Cayden Laughlin; great-granddaughter, Kooper Bonnell; his younger sister, Patricia Laughlin; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Michael’s life will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, at New Beginnings Community Church, 181 Fuller Rd., Salkum, Wash. Honorary Pallbearers include Grant Laughlin, Chris Oliver, Daniel Fuller and Bobby Fountain.
