Donald Hugh McLaughlin

April 6, 1955 – August 10, 2023

Donald Hugh McLaughlin, 68, of Colorado City, Texas, passed away on August 10, 2023.

He was born in Bethesda, Maryland, on April 6, 1955, to John and Helen (Macadie) McLaughlin. The military family was stationed in England and Cyprus during Donald’s early years. He was 9 when Dad retired from the U.S. Navy, sister Mary Margaret was born, and the family settled in Pensacola, Florida, Dad’s hometown.

As a teen, Donald enjoyed fishing, waterskiing, and the youth activities at Warrington Methodist Church. His participation in the youth group there led the family to make it their church home for many years. He graduated from Escambia High School in 1973.

In 1977, he received an associate’s degree in park design from Lake City Community College and landed his first job as a draftsman and surveyor at Baskerville-Donovan in Pensacola.

With wanderlust and his thumb out for hitchhiking, young Donald left home for San Francisco and later Boston, where he married his friend Kay Schaney in 1988. The couple also lived in Fairfax, Virginia, and Rochester, New York. During these years, he held various jobs in photography and printing. The marriage ended, but their friendship lasted until Kay died in 2021.

In 1997, Donald settled into his career as a draftsman and surveyor. He worked for Nobles Consulting Group in Pensacola and Niceville, Florida, and later for Construction & Turnaround Specialist, Inc. (CTS) in Snyder, Texas. Being outdoors in the field and applying his computer skills and smarts in the office, the work suited him for 24 years until his retirement.

Donald was also an artist. He enjoyed drawing, pottery, photography, digital art, and plants. He played guitar and performed in bands as a young adult. A music enthusiast all of his life, he delighted in jamming with friends, collecting instruments, traveling to concerts, and expanding the musical horizons of his younger sister.

With a heartfelt appreciation for God’s creation, he sought the good in people. He paid attention to others and was genuine in his interest or concern for what was happening in the world beyond his own space in it.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents and survived by his sister, Mary (Robert) Riker.

A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Pensacola at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26, with Rev. Geoffrey Lentz officiating.

Mary and Bob would especially like to thank Donald’s Texas neighbors and friends for their kindness and support.