Bobby Ray Laughlin

Bobby Ray Laughlin, age 93, left this earth to be with his Heavenly Father, Lord, and Savior on Friday evening, the 20th of August 2021, at his daughter and son-in-law’s home in Houston, Texas, surrounded by his family. As he was affectionally known, Bob was born on the 9th of December 1927, to Daniel Harold Laughlin and Berdie Holden Laughlin.

Bob was born in Vinton, Louisiana, at the home of his beloved grandparents, Samuel Pearson Holden and Amanda Belile Holden. When Bob was around one and half years old, his family moved to Nibletts Bluff right outside of Vinton, where his father homesteaded 160 acres. Their home was built by his Grandfather, Samuel Pearson Holden. This small community is located close to the Texas and Louisiana State border alongside the Sabine River. Although growing up during the Great Depression left an indelible mark, Bob grew up in a loving, God-fearing family surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins whose daily lives were intertwined with much love and fellowship.

Upon graduating from Vinton High School in 1945, Bob joined the Merchant Marines. He turned 18 years old in the Philippines during his travels as a Merchant Marine, so upon his return to the states, he had to register for the WWII draft. Bob would always say he was the luckiest man alive. Because several months later, after registering for the draft, he was to report for his physical on a Monday; however, President Harry S. Truman stopped the draft the Friday before his physical! Although he did not serve in WWII, he was still a part of The Greatest Generation.

Bob was a principled man who lived his core values: Faith, Family, and Freedom. His patriotism was evidenced by having served in both the United States Army and United States Air Force. Ultimately, he retired from the United States Air Force after 20-years of honorable service. He completed 12-years of active duty and 8-years of reserve duty. Additionally, he retired from Local 198 Pipefitters Union in Baton Rouge. Louisiana. In 2013, he was honored by Local 198 for attaining 50 years of Membership. His Faith and Family core values were fundamental as well. So, even though he moved to Houston in 2008 to be with his children and grandchildren, he continued being a member of Community Bible Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Additionally, after his wife passed from colon cancer in 1992, he volunteered at the Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge for many years.

Bob is proceeded in death by his parents and his wife Ingeburg “Inge” Klotzin Laughlin, who was from Koblenz, Germany; and is survived by his sister, Louise Laughlin Linscomb, of Sugar Land, Texas; his son, Glenn “Eric” Laughlin, and his wife Patty, of Atascocita, Texas; and his twin daughters, Elke S. Laughlin, of Houston Texas; and Inga Laughlin Smith, and her husband, Stephen, of Houston, Texas.

Bob also leaves behind five grandchildren, Daniel R. Laughlin, of Atascocita, Texas; Hannah L. Steward, of Conroe, Texas; Preston L. Smith, Parker T. Smith, and Patrick H. Smith, all of Houston, Texas; and two great-grandchildren Alexander Van Pelt and Avah Van Pelt both of Atascocita, Texas; his niece, Cindy Linscomb Newlin, and her husband Mike, of Sugar Land, Texas, and his two nephews, Dan Linscomb and his wife Pam, of Houston, Texas, and Dennis Linscomb and his wife, Carla, of Spring Hill, Tennessee, and his great-nephew, John R. Linscomb, Jr., and his wife, Laura of Nashville, Tennessee.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from three o’clock in the afternoon until half-past three o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 28th of August, at Christ Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 8300 Katy Freeway in Houston. Immediately following the visitation, the funeral service will commence at half-past three o’clock also at the church with Rev. Richard Harris, Senior Pastor, officiating. Following the funeral service, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held at a location to be announced during the service.

The family will gather at a later date for a private interment at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where Mr. Laughlin will be buried with military honors next to his wife, Inge Laughlin, of 33 years.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed toward the following charities, which Bob supported - Mercy Ship, SOS Children’s Village USA, The Houston Food Bank, or to a charity of one’s choice.

The family would like to thank the following physicians: Dr. James O’Neill and Dr. Amit Patel, Memorial Herman Cardiology, and Dr. John Burpeau. In addition, we would like to thank Harbor Hospice Care. As well as his caregivers, BreNiyah “Bre” Myles and Imani Burnett, for their around-the-clock, attentive care during his time in Hospice.