William Thomas McLaughlin's Obituary
William Thomas McLaughlin
May 20, 1939- June 11, 2024
Tom passed peacefully at his residence in Sunset Hills, Missouri on the evening of June 11, 2024 after being in hospice care for over eight months. He was 85 years old.
Tom was born in Nashville, Tennessee, the third child of Agnes (nee Lahna) and Edward McLaughlin and grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Soldan High School in 1957 and Washington University, St. Louis in 1962 with a BSBA degree. He was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Tom married his beloved wife, Jean (nee Koester), in St. Louis on September 7, 1963. They welcomed their only child, Lisa, the following year. Tom spent his working career as a computer programmer starting in this burgeoning industry in the early 1960s. After having his own consulting firm, he ended his career at Colorado PERA and retired in 2004.
Tom is survived by his dear wife of over 60 years, Jean; daughter Lisa Krenz, son-in-law Stephen Krenz, grandchildren Joel and Anna (Ryan) Stuit; and brothers Daniel (Stephanie) McLaughlin, David (Jane) McLaughlin, and Charles (Mary) McLaughlin; brothers and sisters-in-law Glenn Koester, Florence (Carl) Zschiegner, Bernadine Wegener and many nieces and nephews, as well as dear life-long friends from high school and college. He is predeceased by his sister Ann Grace who died as a child at age 12 and his parents.
Tom moved with his family to the Denver area in 1973 where he enjoyed many decades playing golf, skiing, fly fishing, hunting, and rooting for the Denver Broncos. He was also a life-long fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a devoted grandpa, moving with Jean to Carlyle, Illinois in 2008 to live near his grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbia, IL. Services will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on Thursday, June 20 at 4:00 p.m. and officiated by Pastor Stephen Krenz. Burial will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Hoffman, IL.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to: Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School, 9545 Shatuc Rd., Centralia, IL. 62801.
Leesman Funeral Home, Columbia, IL, handled arrangements.
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