It is with genuine sorrow that his children announce their
father passed away peacefully on September 9, 2023, in Reno, Nevada.
Joseph Neil McLaughlin was born May 7, 1939, in Bottineau, North Dakota. Known to his family as Neil and later in life to friends as Joe, he was raised on the family farm, near the abundant wildlife of Lord’s Lake, North Dakota, where he developed an eternal affection for all of God’s critters. As a teenager, his family moved to La Mesa, California and he discovered a passion for cross country running.
Joe joined the Coast Guard which honed his skills as a telecommunication engineer and led to 25 years. with the Contel Telephone Company, bringing him to settle in the Carson Valley. An avid fan of sports, he encouraged his children to play soccer, baseball, basketball, track, and field; he enjoyed every game, meet, and tournament. Along with competing in local fun runs and, especially, the Great Yerington Sack Race, Joe enjoyed the drama of theater and gusto of big band music. Demonstrating his impish flair, he often participated in local theater productions.
He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph Valentine “JV” and Norine McLaughlin, brother Thomas McLaughlin, sister Patricia Leverton, and beloved companion Shirley Walls.
He is survived by his sister Erin Oborne, brothers Brendan and Michael McLaughlin, his four children Carolyn Wilbur of Bismarck, ND, Elliot (Stephanie) McLaughlin of San Diego, CA, Kathleen (Randy Creighton) McLaughlin of Sparks, NV, and Colleen (Dan Bahm) McLaughlin of Mandan, ND, as well as his four grandchildren Caleb, Joseph, Jake, and Bellina.
Family and friends are invited to a memorial at 2:00 PM on October 7, 2023, at St Paul’s Lutheran Family, in Carson City, Nevada. Reception to follow. Joseph Neil will be privately interred at the Holy Cross
Cemetery in San Diego.
In lieu of flowers, please send monetary donations to
the nonprofit Animal Rescue organization Catmandu in Carson City, NV