James J. O'Laughlin

HOFF CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTER, GOODVIEW, MN 55987James "Jim" J. O'Laughlin, 88, of Mesa, AZ and formerly of Winona, MN died on Thursday, April 3, 2014, at his home in Mesa.Jim was born on April 24, 1925, in Winona, MN to Frank and Minnie (Range) O'Laughlin. He was raised in Winona and attended Cotter High School where he played for, and was captain of, the Cotter basketball team. Jim left high school early to serve his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII. In the Navy, Jim worked in the "Boiler Gang" on the battleship USS California. When Jim returned from his military service he began working in the Frank O'Laughlin family plumbing business. In June 1946, Jim was united in marriage with Dolores Douglas. Dolores died in January 1962 after a prolonged illness. Jim raised his six children alone until he married Theora Murphy Gilliam in 1964 and added her three children to the clan. Theora died in September 1997. Jim worked in the family business his entire career as a master plumber and steamfitter until fading into retirement in recent years. The project he was most proud of was Winona's Johnson Street Water Plant. Jim was very active in the Winona community, including memberships in the Elks Club, American Legion, V.F.W., Winona Master Plumbers Assoc., Winona Valley Riders, Winona Country Club, and Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, and he was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Jim was an avid deer hunter and fisherman and was proud of his Irish heritage. Jim spent his winters for the last several years in Arizona. Jim is survived by six children: Patricia Goss of Texas, Michael O'Laughlin of Wyoming, Kevin (Cindy) O'Laughlin of Rushford, MN, Dennis (Linda) O'Laughlin of Oregon, Kim (Darcy) O'Laughlin of Winona, MN, and Sean (Tammy) O'Laughlin of Winona, MN; three step-children: Bob (Kathy) Gilliam of New York, Tom (Pam Martin) Gilliam of Minneapolis, MN, and Theora Gilliam of Massachusetts; 23 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren with one on the way; 6 great-great grandchildren with 2 on the way; a sister, "Sister Alverna" O'Laughlin of Assisi Heights, Rochester, MN; and by his longtime companion, Nancy Caldwell of Mesa, Arizona. He was preceded in death by wives Dolores and Theora; also his parents; three siblings, Francis O'Laughlin, Ray O'Laughlin, and Ruth (O'Laughlin) Wood; and son-in-law John Goss.Gathering of family and friends will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, at Hoff Celebration of Life Center in Goodview. There will be a Memorial Mass for Jim at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 11, at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona with the Rev. Richard Colletti officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Winona. Jim's family prefers memorials to be directed to Assisi Heights in Rochester, Minn. Leave a memory of Jim, sign his online guestbook and view his tribute video when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com Service times are pending.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/481056