Obituary of Val Joe Laughlin

Funeral services for Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Val Joe Laughlin, 52, Marshall, are scheduled for 10:00 am, Monday, May 22, at the First Baptist Church, Overton, with the Reverends Eddie Hillburn and Charles Paschall officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will be in the Overton City Cemetery under the direction of Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home, Overton. He died Thursday, May 18, 2006, at his residence in Marshall following a three year battle with cancer. Mr. Laughlin was born October 31, 1953, in Overton to Eugene and Margarettee Fuller Laughlin. He was a 1972 graduate of Overton High School. He was also a graduate of Baylor University where he was a member of the ROTC. Lt. Col. Laughlin served in the United States Air Force from 1977 until he retired in 2000. He received many honors for meritorious acts while serving in various military conflicts and wars. Lt. Col. Laughlin was also a retired Professor from the Texas State Technical College where many of his students considered him a close personal friend as well as their teacher. He loved music and was a member of Bobby "Mercy" Oliver's Band Jam City Revue, of Marshall. He was talented and could play many instruments. Lt. Col. Laughlin was a member of the First Baptist Church, Overton. He was preceded in death by is father, Eugene Laughlin, a brother, Mark Lynn Laughlin and his first wife, Susan Wininger. Survivors include his wife, Barbara Laughlin, Marshall; a son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Laura Laughlin, Marshall; a daughter and son-in-law, Valerie and Patrick Rushing, Kilgore; his mother, Margarettee Fuller Laughlin, Overton; a brother and sister-in-law, Jon and Ann Laughlin, Batesville, Mississippi; a sister and brother-in-law, Lana and Robert Young, Overton; a grandaughter, Erith Rushing, Kilgore; numerous nieces and nephews; and very special friends, Mimi Mills, Marshall and Lisa Harper and her son, Hunter Harper, Marshall. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm, Sunday, May 21. Pallbearers will be Mike Berry, Alan Beasley, Jim Hamilton, Michael Simpkins, Al Davis, Gary Barrett, Bobby Oliver, and Tim Stokes. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Charlie Lattuada. Willie Mills, Jim Treadway, Dennis Mince, and Andy Bozylinski Pallbearers will be Mike Berry, Alan Beasley, Jim Hamilton, Michael Simpkins, Al Davis, Gary Barrett, Bobby Oliver, and Tim Stokes. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Charlie Lattuada. Willie Mills, Jim Treadway, Dennis Mince, and Andy Bozylinski. Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Overton Cemetery Association, 205 North Meadowbrook, Overton, Texas 75684.