Dr. John Francis Mclaughlin, Jr.

Dr. John Francis McLaughlin, Jr. passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2012. He was 90 years of age. John Francis McLaughlin Jr. was born February 23, 1922 to Marguerite Behlmer McLaughlin and John Francis McLaughlin Sr. Growing up in Charleston, he lived on both Magazine and then Smith Street in an extended family with his maternal Grandmother, uncle and cousins with his Mother Father, and brothers James, Donald, and Ralph. He attended Cathedral School and graduated from Bishop England High School in 1939. He graduated from the College of Charleston in 1943, and then the Medical College of Charleston in 1946. He was a member of Phi Ro Sigma Fraternity. He enlisted in the Army Scholastic Training Program during WWII. He married Mae Jordan Dunson of LaGrange, GA in 1949. Upon graduation from medical school he was commissioned in the United States Army where he served in Korea as a medical officer commanding a Medical Clearing Company in combat. After serving in Korea he served in the South Carolina Guard and Army Reserve for 32 years. He commanded a Station Hospital in Charleston, SC. He also served as Surgeon General for the 120th Army Reserve Command. He retired as a Colonel, and his personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. Upon returning from Korea he opened his first medical practice on Yonges Island. In 1954 he began to practice in Ehrhardt, South Carolina, as a General Practitioner. For 25 years he cared for this rural community including house calls and delivering newborns at home. This is where he raised a family of five including three daughters and two sons. He also served on the Bamberg County Hospital Board and Board of Education. After leaving Ehrhardt, SC he worked for Raybestos Manhattan Manufacturing in Charleston,SC and Llyod Noland Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. He is survived by two daughters: Peggy White and Elizabeth Hewitt; two sons: John F. McLaughlin III (Macky) and Preston McLaughlin; he was predeceased by his wife Mae Dunson McLaughlin, and daughter Carol McLaughlin. He is survived by one brother Ralph McLaughlin. He is survived by five grandchildren; Jason White, Preston White, Jordan H. Payne, Patrick McLaughlin & Brendan McLaughlin. The relatives and friends of Dr. John F. McLaughlin, Jr. are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, from the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 120 Broad Street, Charleston, SC. Interment will follow at Live Oak Memorial Gardens, Highway 61 in Charleston. The family will receive friends between 5:00 and 7:00 PM on Tuesday, April 17, at James A. McAlister Funeral Home, with the Rosary service at 6:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either Disabled American Veterans, 109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29401, or to the Wounded Warrior Foundation, 2115 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101.