Laurence E. Laughlin Jr.

Laurence E. Laughlin, Jr. Laurence E. Laughlin, Jr., 93, husband of Grace Ashley Laughlin of Dale, SC died Sunday, June 25, 2017 at his residence. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 from 5:00 7:00 pm at Anderson Funeral Home with Masonic Rites at 6:30 pm. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 29, 2017 at 10:30 am in Grays Hill Baptist Church with interment in Beaufort National Cemetery with full military honors. Mr. Laughlin was born on August 5, 1923 in Florence, SC. He is the son of the late Laurence E. Laughlin, Sr. and Jane Oglesby Laughlin. He was a member of Grays Hill Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. Right Worshipful Brother Laughlin was raised a Master Mason by Amity Lodge # 340 in Florence in 1949. He affiliated with Harmony Lodge No. 22 in Beaufort in 1973 and held dual membership with Mt. Moriah Lodge #196 in Yemassee. He was a past master of both Beaufort #22 and Mt. Moriah #196. RWB Laughlin was awarded his 60 year membership pin and certificate by the Grand Lodge of South Carolina A.F.M. in 2009 and served the Grand Lodge as Junior Grand Deacon in 1992-1993. He was a Perpetual Life Member of Harmony #22. A member of the York Rite, RWB Laughlin was made a Knight Templar in 1950 and served as Illustrious Master Allendale in 1994, High Priest of Delta in 1995, Eminent Commander Hampton in 1996. He served the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons as District Deputy Grand High Priest of the First District in 2000-01. RWB Laughlin was also a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite as a 33rd Degree Mason. He served as Worthy Patron of Faith Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, had been a member of the National Sojourners, Tall Cedars of Lebanon and Omar Shrine Temple. RWB Laughlin instituted a program, through Harmony Lodge No. 22, that honors and recognizes the contributions of an outstanding EMS service provider each year. He served our country in the U.S. Army for 23 years through WWII, Korea and Vietnam earning a Bronze Star, an Army Commendation Medal, 4 Army Good Conduct Medals, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, 2 National Defense Service Medals, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation and French fourragŠre military award. Surviving in addition to his wife, Grace, are two sons, Laurence E. Laughlin, III and D. Ashley Laughlin; four daughters, Catherine L. Aughtman, Leslie L. Brodie, Barbara L. Helms and Jessica E. Laughlin; one brother Robert C. Laughlin; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Mt. Moriah Masonic Lodge (c/o Joe Nix, Lodge Secretary, P.O. Box 277, Yemassee, SC 29945) or Grays Hill Baptist Church (2749 Trask Pkwy, Beaufort, SC 29906). Pall Bearers will be comprised of his masonic brothers representing numerous lodges he served. Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.