Kenneth Lee (Ken) McLaughlin, 80, of Coldwater, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on October 6, 2022, following a long illness.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Ken’s life and share memories Saturday, November 12 at 11:00 a.m. at the 4-H Cabin, Branch County Fairgrounds, 262 S. Sprague St, Coldwater. There will be a meal following the service.
The family is being served by Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation in Union City
Ken was born November 20, 1941 in Coldwater, Michigan, the oldest of six children to Kenton and Ila (Knapp) McLaughlin. He graduated from Coldwater High School in 1959 and remained a
Coldwater resident his entire life. He was tremendously proud of his three children, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and always looked forward to their visits. In his early years, Ken operated heavy equipment and was a professional truck driver for several companies in Branch County. He worked for Harris-McBurney Company in Jackson as an area manager and was a member of the IBEW.
Ken and his father Kenton started K & K Trucking & Excavating and Ken later owned K&B Trailer Sales in Coldwater. More recently, he started Ken McLaughlin Construction focusing on creative home remodeling projects.
As a young man, Ken’s passion was dirt-track racing. For 15 years he raced car #03 at Butler
Motor Speedway and he was a lifelong, avid NASCAR fan. Ken loved woodworking, often designing and constructing original pieces for family and friends. A self-taught artist, he enjoyed drawing and oil painting. His favorite themes were wildlife and cowboys in the Wild West. Ken loved singing and the internet gave him the opportunity to share his music and sing duets with various on-line friends.
He also loved keeping up with everyone on Facebook; his daughter’s dog competitions; his nephew’s hike on the Appalachian Trail and anything involving his grandchildren.
Ken is survived by his three children: Annette McLaughlin of Eaton Rapids, Kevin (Michele)
McLaughlin of Chelsea and Ron (Julie Ardoin) McLaughlin of Coldwater; six grandchildren:
Nathan (Christie) Omo, Branden (Melissa) Omo, Stacey (Terry) Billings, Jessica (Joel Day) McQuiston and Keegan and Shane McLaughlin; eight great-grandchildren: Morgan, Alyssa, Kaylee, Caroline, Bennett, Parker, Gwen & Lily; siblings: Rae Jean Morris, Larry (Linda) McLaughlin, Linda (Dennis) Abbeg, Mike (Linn) McLaughlin and many nieces & nephews.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ronald and his favorite dog, Rusty.
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