John Paul McLaughlin

Funeral Services for John McLaughlin, 92, of Douglass will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Laird Funeral Home with Bro. Kendal McDonald officiating. Interment will follow at Douglass Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00am to 11:00am on prior to the service. 

Dr. J. Paul McLaughlin, Professor Emeritus at Purdue University, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Paul was born on December 9, 1933, to Ernest and Mildred McLaughlin in rural Hartley County near Channing, Texas. He was the long‑awaited son, born after five daughters. The family later moved to a ranch near Raton, New Mexico, and in 1946 relocated once again when his parents acquired a Grade A dairy outside Sulphur Springs, Texas. Paul worked on the family dairy throughout his high school years, participated in Future Farmers of America, and graduated from Sulphur Springs High School.

After earning his undergraduate degree in mathematics from East Texas State Teachers College in Commerce, Paul began his teaching career in Pickton Independent School District. In 1955, he enlisted in the United States Army and served a tour of duty in Germany. While stationed overseas, he taught mathematics to officer candidates at the Army Education Center, a role he took great pride in. Following his military service, Paul returned to Texas, teaching math and science in DeKalb before continuing his education at the University of Texas, where he earned his Master of Education in 1960.

Paul later moved to Freeport, where he taught at Brazosport High School. There, he met Mildred “Millie” Watkins, the love of his life. The two were married in June 1962 and shared 62 years of marriage. Together they were blessed with two daughters, Lisa and Deanna.

A lifelong problem solver with a deep passion for mathematics, Paul became a math instructor at Blinn College in Brenham, where he taught for five years. During this time, he pursued doctoral studies, ultimately completing his doctorate at the University of Texas after relocating to Austin.

Paul and his family later moved to Northwest Indiana, where he served for 28 years as a professor in the mathematics and mathematics education department at Purdue University. In addition to teaching, he supervised and advised numerous student teachers and was an active member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and Phi Delta Kappa. While living in Indiana, Paul and his family enjoyed many trips to Chicago for Cubs games, shopping excursions, and visits to see the city’s Christmas lights.

After retiring in 1997, Paul and Millie returned to Texas and made their home in Douglass. There, they devoted their time and talents to church and community organizations and cherished time spent with family across the state and the country.

A man of deep Christian faith, Paul lived a life of service and fellowship with God. He served for many years as a Sunday School teacher and director and was ordained as a deacon in 1971. He served in churches in Indiana as well as First Baptist Church in Douglass and Fredonia Hill Baptist Church in Nacogdoches. Paul was also active in The Gideons International and found great joy in distributing Bibles to students.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Mildred Buffington McLaughlin; five sisters Margaret Driggers (Bill), Lois Ferguson (Boyd), Dorothy Weaver (Gene), Helen Ferguson (Glenn) and Lucy Lee McLaughlin and brother-in-law Fred Bayless.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Mildred “Millie” McLaughlin; daughters Lisa McLaughlin (fiancé Jeff) and Deanna Staudenmaier (Walt); his sister Joyce Bayless; and many cherished nieces and nephews.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Jennifer, Wilma, and the Reliant at Home staff for their compassionate care and kindness. Memorial donations in Paul’s honor may be made to The Gideons International or Fredonia Hill Baptist Church.

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