Harold Walter McLaughlin

Harold Walter McLaughlin, age 78, of Farmington, Missouri passed away on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, brother, husband, uncle, brother-in-law and friend to many.

Harry was born in Edmonton, Alberta, at the Royal Alexandra Hospital on May 30, 1945. From there, his parents rode horseback with little Harry back home to the Rams Falls, Alberta Forestry Station where our grandfather, Robert McLaughlin, was a Forestry Ranger. This was only accessible by horseback in those days. After spending his infancy and toddler years traversing the forests with his parents on horseback, he spent his childhood in Paradise Valley, Alberta, where his family farmed.

He leaves behind to celebrate his life and continue his legacy, his children: daughter Gwendolyn Clark and her husband Nobby, son Scott McLaughlin and his wife Lawna, stepson Shayne Keddy and his wife Teresa, and stepdaughter Shyre Lancia. Harry was most proud of his five beautiful granddaughters: Winter McLaughlin, Keira Lancia, Miriya McLaughlin, Logyn Clark and Gwyn Keddy. Also left behind are many who loved and adored him. Wife Bonnie McLaughlin. Sister Muriel Wiley, Brother Lorne McLaughlin, brothers-in-law Lawrence Wiley and Ross Reid, and sister-in-law Diane McLaughlin. Nieces Candace McLaughlin and Kara Gosselin. Nephews Shaun McLaughlin, Marlon Reid, Shane McLaughlin, Wade Wiley, Dallas Reid and Darren Reid. Close friends Wayne and Rossana Bloomquist, Vic Friesen, Dave Dickson, Rob and Christine Kitching, the Deaville family, the Teasdale family and the Brassington family.

Harry was predeceased by his parents, Robert McLaughlin and Elizabeth McLaughlin (nee Ritchie), his sister Janet Reid, and his baby sister Elaine Anne May McLaughlin at 22 days old in 1956, beloved dog, Delvin and James Womacks.

Harry had a successful career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Dad was chosen to take a hiatus from law enforcement duties to showcase RCMP (Mountie) horsemanship on the Musical Ride from 1969 -1970, which provided him with the opportunity to travel the world, including Japan for the World’s Fair; his stories of ethnic foods, culture and flying on the planes with the horses were epic.

He once again he was honored to join the Musical Ride during Manitoba's Centennial year of 1970. It was at this event that he met Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Princess Ann. Each Royal chose a Mountie horse to ride. The Queen chose Harry’s horse, Diamond, and he gave her a “leg up” seeing that she was already an expert rider, he assisted her onto his horse before she galloped off for a ride. He also earned the privilege of the “Rider of the year” his name inscribed on the trophy displayed at the RCMP Headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario.

He was in the famous Mountie Dome photograph featured on the Canadian fifty-dollar bill. The photo taken in 1970, in anticipation for Canada’s Centennial and was commissioned for initial printing in 1973 and the design continued for a few years.Harry was part of Canada’s delegation in the early 1970’s Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California. Canada’s Centennial Review of 1973, Harry was on an eight man and eight horse jumping team. His horse’s name was Flame.

A few years later, he received The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal from Queen Elizabeth herself for his display of courage during a dangerous altercation, where he saved the lives of his fellow officers and civilians.

Harry was on the RCMP ERT (Emergency Response Team) during his career. It's an elite regional tactical squad of the RCMP. Highly trained in special weapons, tactics and negotiations, that are used during extremely volatile situations or terrorist actions. He was also a trained sniper.

During the Grand opening of the Vancouver Expo of 1986, Harry, was assigned to the security detail of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. He also performed this duty for Canadian musical icon Bryan Adams.

Harry, with good friend and fellow RCMP colleague, Wayne Bloomquist, was on the security detail for the Kootney portion of the Rick Hansen Man in Motion world tour.

With Dad’s career, we moved a lot! Back in the early days, the RCMP moved almost every two years. Our family experienced and saw most of British Columbia, Canada. We met amazing people and made beautiful memories along the way.

Always ambitious, Harry attended University part-time in Williams Lake and Lillooet and completed a Certificate in Microcomputers from the University College Of The Cariboo in Lillooet in 1998.

Harry retired from the RCMP as a Staff Sergeant to accept an appointment as Chief Constable of the Stl'atl'imx Tribal Police. He always loved working with the First People, and enjoyed their culture and beautiful way of life. He even learned to speak their Secwepemc and Interior Salish languages.

After retiring from law enforcement, Harry moved to New England and became very involved with youth in agriculture; he became a 4-H Leader, working closely with the Topsfield Fair in Massachusetts.

He served as a former President of Essex County Youth Foundation, which provides college scholarships to deserving Massachusetts youth and still served on the scholarship committee for many years after his presidency.

As his health started to decline, Harry moved to Missouri, where he was under the watchful eye of his Step Son Dr. Shayne Keddy, a place he would call his forever home after all the moving in his career. He loved Farmington, Missouri; it was home for six years. He told us that he loved the people there, and it reminded him of Alberta, Canada. His wishes are to be buried in Farmington.

Huge appreciation to Shayne, Teresa and Gwyn Keddy and the Triplett family for taking such good care of Dad all these years. Appreciation also to Chris and Kim Carroll, for the generosity of their guest cabin for many years, where he was “the Mountie on the Mountain.” Our gratitude goes out to Dr. Cadiz for his expert overall care of Harry. He was instrumental to Harry's longevity with Scleroderma, Dr. Rao, Dr. Bogachenchu, Dr. Aruchamy, Dr. Iyer, all the ER physicians, and all the wonderful nurses and respiratory therapists that cared for him at Mercy Hospital Jefferson, Parkland Health Center, and Perry County Memorial Hospital. Special thanks goes out to the staff of Lincare Medical West Respiratory Services who sustained his every daily respiratory need over the past nearly six years. Without them, independent life and driving freely would not have been possible. Finally, we appreciate the outstanding emergency care of Saint Francois County Ambulance District, who saved his life multiple times, and the amazing staff of Maplebrook Assisted Living and Legacy Hospice who made his final days so comfortable and enjoyable.

Immense Gratitude to the First People of St’at’imc Nation, Lil’Wat Nation and Kwantlen First Nation for your drumming and healing medicine and the many prayer chains in various circles. We are so blessed to have this support.

Thank you to Duke Pfitzinger, our Funeral Director and his amazing staff at Heiligtag-Lang- Fendler Funeral Home for their care and support.

My dad touched many lives; he was always supportive and gentle. He always led by example of honor, and encouraged us to treat ourselves and everyone with grace and respect. He valued the Gospels of Jesus and lived by them.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation The Harold McLaughlin Memorial Scholarship payable to: Essex County Youth Foundation, PO Box 263, Topsfield, Massachusetts 01983

A visitation for Harold will be held Thursday, June 22, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Heiligtag-Lang-Fendler Funeral Home, 1081 Jeffco Blvd, Arnold, MO 63010. A funeral service will occur Thursday, June 22, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM, 1081 Jeffco Blvd, Arnold, MO 63010. A committal service will occur Thursday, June 22, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 4:15 PM at Park View Cemetery, Farmington, MO 63640.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.heiligtagfuneralhome.com for the McLaughlin family.