Ward McNeil McLaughlin Jr.

Ward McNeil McLaughlin, Jr "Neil" passed away on September 10th at the University of Virginia Hospital. Neil was born on April 19, 1935 in Greenbank, WV to Ward McNeil McLaughlin, Sr and Wilda McLaughlin Stargell. In 1940 his family moved to Charlottesville, VA. Growing up in downtown Charlottesville he roller skated to McGuffy School and Lane High School, delivered newspapers from his bicycle, and worked at The Ridge drive-in theater. After high school he joined the US Army and served proudly in Japan for two years. After returning home he started working at Sperry Marine and retired 39 years later. In 1960 he made a great decision by marrying Darlene Kiser McLaughlin and later had two daughters Gail Megahan and Sandra McLaughlin. He greatly enjoyed that we all lived close by in Charlottesville, VA. Neil joined Hinton Ave United Methodist Church in 1940 and continued being a loyal member even after it merged with Charlottesville First Methodist Church. In 1973 Neil started volunteering with Boy Scout Troop 37 sponsored by the Men's Club at Hinton Ave UMC. This started his life long service to the scouts as Scoutmaster of Troop 37, starting and organizing the Apple Harvest Camporee for 30 years, the Klondike Derby for 9 years, the Spring Hiking Camporee, running the local BSA Christmas Tree sales for ten years, and spending almost every Monday night and one weekend a month with Troop 37. During his time in scouts he was a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow, recieved the Silver Beaver Award, God and Country Award, and gained the highest achievement in adult scouting leadership, Woodbadge. His favorite part of scouting was working with the scouts and serving as an Eagle Scout mentor. Many scouts have fond memories of loading up the Troop 37 green machine scout bus and heading out on an adventure. After retiring from Sperry he started his retired life by being a more active member of Hinton Avenue UMC. He served as a Trustee for the church for many years where he spent many hours fixing the many items that break in an older building and parsonage. He was the long serving treasurer of the Adult Fellowship Sunday School and the Men's Club. The HAUMC Men's Club met faithfully once a month until the church closed and Dad rarely missed a meeting. His favorite post retirement role was being Granddad to his grandson, Carter Megahan. He was very proud to pin on Carter both, his Eagle Scout badge and his Albemarle County Police Officer badge. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Ellen Mitchell and her husband Bud, his sister-in-law Jean Smith and brother-in-law Bill Raney, his nephews Hugh Mitchell, Jay Smith, and Steve Smith and niece Kierstan Raney. He was happily married to Darlene for 52 years before she passed away in 2013. He is survived by his daughters Gail and her husband Renny Megahan, Sandra and her husband Myron Ripley, his sister-in-law Berna Raney, and his favorite grandson Carter Megahan. He is also survived by his niece Cary Hevener, and nephews Gary Smith and Greg Smith all of Pendleton County WV and his beloved great nieces and nephews. He also truly appreciated the many members of his scouting family. Neil enjoyed his life and valued all the people he came in contact with during his 90 years. Some of his favorite places were fixing things in his workshop, trout fishing with his buddies, hunting with his nephews and friends, spending time with his family at the beach and sitting on his porch at his West Virginia house, DarNeil Acres, sharing stories with his family. Even though his health started to decline the last few years he still enjoyed his time living at The Blake, going to daily Bingo games, music events, and meeting new people in the dining room. The family will receive friends at Hill and Wood on Sunday, September 14th from 5-7. Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 15th at Charlottesville First Methodist Church at 11:00 with interment in the afternoon at Sugar Grove Cemetery, Sugar Grove WV. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Scout Troop 37, 335 Heron Lane, Charlottesville, VA 22903.