Maurice C Laughlin

Reese had committed his life to education, initially as an elementary school teacher in Atlanta. He then moved to New Jersey to assume responsibilities as an educational consultant with the New York and Princeton offices of Dow Jones & Company; he represented the Wall Street Journal with the universities in the southeastern United States.

When the Laughlin family settled in Orlando, Reese first worked for Stucky Enterprises until he returned to his first love -- teaching. He taught economics and sociology in two different high schools -- Oak Ridge and University high schools.

The Oak Ridge community issued the following statement: "Oak Ridge High School has lost an all-time outstanding Pioneer when Reese Laughlin passed away. An economics teacher at Oak Ridge from 1980 through 1990, Reese reconnected with the high school in 2014 when he became the ORHS Hall of Fame Ambassador working with the school's administration. In 2017 to honor the long-standing contribution to the school, the Board of Directors established the scholar-athlete award and named it the 'Reese Laughin Scholar-Athlete Award.'"

In 1990 the Orange County School System enlisted Reese to become part of the faculty at the newly opened University High School. The students voted him their favorite teacher in that first year in the school's history and continued to do so year after year.

In addition to his responsibilities in the classroom and on the Board of the Hall of Fame, Reese also became a roving mentor to students, walking the halls, engaging students, and offering his long perspective on life's challenges. A friend described Reese as "a straight arrow in a warped world."

Reese was the valedictorian of Sylvan Hills High School in Atlanta, Georgia. He then enrolled in Emory University and graduated with honors in 1958.

Maurice Laughlin is survived by his devoted daughter, Elizabeth. His wife, the love of his life, died in 2012. He has two surviving sisters, Muriel and Marge. One sister, Gladys, died as a teenager; His brother, Allan, passed away recently. In addition to numerous in-laws and nieces and nephews, he is mourned by Steve and Debbie Rusk, his next door neighbors who cared for him in his home on a daily basis for his long decline leading to his eventual death.

A celebration of the rich life of Maurice Laughlin will be held at the Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church on Friday,October 29th at 1:00.

Please do not send flowers. If you wish, make your contribution to the Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church at 1655 Peel Ave, Orlando, FL 32806 or to ORHS Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 568908, Orlando, FL 32856.