John Lee McLaughlin

McLaughlin, John Lee, 84 of Lawrenceburg, KY, passed onto his eternal life with the Lord on Feb. 27, 2026 in Lexington at the University of Kentucky Hospital after his second battle with lung cancer. John was born on Aug. 28, 1941 in Dayton, OH to Ernest and Mary (Hicks) McLaughlin. Upon graduating high school in 1959, he entered the United States Marine Corp. In 1962, while stationed in California, he met and married Katherine Langan and they were blessed with a son Kevin. During his service in Vietnam, John was shot in the left side of the chest and by the Grace of God, nothing vital was hit and he was able to recover. After leaving the USMC in 1965 with an honorable discharge, he returned to Dayton, OH where he met and married Barbara Devers and was blessed with another son Brian. Barbara and John divorced after a few years of marriage and John ended up traveled around and working odd jobs. He never wanted for much and lived asimple and contented life. John settled in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky and called this his home for many years until his passing.

John was preceded in death by both of his parents, Ernest and Mary McLaughlin; two brothers, Charles and Clarke McLaughlin; ex-wife Barbara Milano (Devers); and nephew Patrick McLaughlin.

He is survived by his sons, Kevin, Santa Monica, CA; and Brian (Shannon), Priest River, ID; one Grand-daughter, Ashley Hartman (Kyle), Washington; three Great-Grandchildren, Bevan, Jameson and Bailey; one niece, Julia; and 3 nephews Michael, Christopher and Timothy.

There will be a private family Memorial and scattering of his ashes on May 15, 2026 in West Yellowstone, MT.