Edward Ellsworth Laughlin

Edward E. Laughlin at his home in the mountains of North Carolina. Powder Horn Mountain, Watauga County, NC.

Born on September 8, 1915 in Henry County, Indiana. He was one of three children, and oldest son, of Donel Laughlin and Mabel Anne Tapscott.

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Description

He was slim of build and of average stature (5 foot nine inches.) He had red hair, blue eyes and for most of his life he wore a small mustache.

Early Years

• Childhood
• Siblings
  • Francis Scott Laughlin
  • June Alice Laughlin

Education

Edward E. Laughlin's graduation photo from Trotwood High School in Trotwood, (Montgomery County) Ohio.

Graduated from Trotwood High School in Trotwood, Montgomery County, Ohio.

Religion

He was baptized (converted) into the Catholic faith in 1941 so that he could marry Mary Virginia Kamenish, his future bride.

Civilian Conservation Corps

Edward served in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

Military Service Years

Edward E. Laughlin during Naval boot camp in Rochester, NY.

EM2 Edward Ellsworth Laughlin served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served in Norfolk, Virginia. He served as a Electricians Mate, 2nd Class. He was honorably discharged after three years.

Military Service(s): U.S. Navy

Family Years

Married Mary Virginia Kamenish on August 11, 1941 in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. The couple had five children: four boys - Michael Edward, Joseph Daniel, Patrick Anthony and Mark Stephen, and one girl - Mary Cathleen.

The couple had five children:

• Michael Edward Laughlin
• Joseph Daniel Laughlin
• Patrick Anthony Laughlin
• Mark Stephen Laughlin
• Mary Cathleen Laughlin

After the death of his first wife "Ginny," Edward married Betty T. Turner on December 3, 1983. The couple had no children. The couple later divorced.

Working Years

Edward had several jobs during his adult life. He worked for Grismer Tire Center in Dayton, Ohio and was a meter reader for Dayton Power and Light, also in Dayton. For several years he was a "milkman," delivering Moler's Belmont Dairy products to homes throughout the Dayton area. He worked briefly for Bowser-Morner Testing Laboratories, testing soil for construction projects, before taking a position with the City of Kettering, OH Department of Parks and Recreation. He supervised a large crew during a period of extensive growth for the city's parks system and oversaw the development and landscaping of numerous city parks and green spaces. Upon retirement from the City of Kettering, he took a position at Powder Horn Mountain in Triplett, (Watauga County) North Carolina. He served as a golf course greenskeeper, a realtor and rental property manager.

Business Ventures

Owned and operated Ed Laughlin Realty in Deep Gap, Watauga County, North Carolina.

Personal Life

Edward E. Laughlin enjoying his favorite hobby. Location unknown.

Edward enjoyed hunting, particularly rabbits with his trusty beagle, Jack. His true passion was fishing. He enjoyed fly fishing in the lakes and streams in the mountains of North Carolina, as well as surf fishing and flounder gigging on the North Carolina coast

Stories and Remembrances

Edward was a prolific storyteller. He had many fond memories of life in rural Indiana and was always willing to share his experiences with anyone who would listen. Before his death, he gave several handwritten stories about his childhood to his daughter, Mary Cathleen (Katie) Laughlin Timko. These stories, in his own words, can be found from the link below:

• Laughlin Family Stories

Death

Edward died from pneumonia on January 10, 2009 at Hospice of Dayton in Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio.

He was cremated and his remains were buried in 2009 at Powder Horn Mountain Cemetery in Watauga County, North Carolina.