Timothy Ray Laughlin

1947 - 2018

Timothy Ray Laughlin obituary, 1947-2018, Bloomington, IN

Timothy Ray Laughlin

1947 - 2018

Timothy Laughlin Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 10, 2018.
Timothy Ray Laughlin

Bloomington - Surrounded by his family, Tim Laughlin passed away on Sunday, January 7. Tim was the only son of Howard E (Tony) and L. Maxine Laughlin. He was born in New Castle and grew up in Richmond, Indiana. He had fond memories of spending time as a child at the family farm with cousins. He graduated from Richmond High School, where he ran cross country and track and participated on the mile-relay team that placed first at the Indianapolis Regional track meet in 1966. After a year at Indiana University, he volunteered for the draft in 1968. He was stationed at the Da Nang Air Force Base in Vietnam, where he was likely exposed to the Agent Orange that resulted in cancer 50 years later. He returned to IU and graduated with a BA in East Asian History and a love for Asian history and poetry that would continue throughout his life.

He married his high-school sweetheart Sara Lemon in 1970. After six months hitchhiking through Europe, they settled in Cincinnati, where he learned the carpentry trade. Three years later, they moved to and began remodeling an old one-room schoolhouse in Solsberry. They moved to Bloomington in 1988.

Tim owned a custom home-building and remodeling business, Plumb, Inc., from 1988 to 2015. He leaves a legacy of comfortable homes, built for his own family, many clients, and in partnership with Habitat for Humanity during the annual Builders' Blitz. He spent many happy hours listening to jazz and walking in the woods. If you asked him, he would say his primary accomplishments were his two beautiful, smart, and capable children, Isaac and Hannah.

Tim leaves behind his wife Sara, son Isaac (Ximena Vengoechea) in San Francisco, and daughter Hannah in Bloomington, his extended Lemon family and many beloved Laughlin cousins and their families, all of whom he treasured like siblings.

The family wishes to express deepest appreciation to the community of building contractors, his friends and colleagues, who finished his final house; the many friends who made his life so rich; and the wonderful caring doctors, nurses, and staff of IU Health Oncology.

In keeping with Tim's wishes, a celebration of life is scheduled for 2-4 pm on Saturday, January 13, in the Frangipani Room of the Indiana Memorial Union on the IU campus. In lieu of flowers, he requested memorial contributions be made to Habitat of Humanity of Monroe County or the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County.

For Tim, the great-grandson of Irish immigrants, this final blessing:

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face

And rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Memories of Tim and online condolences can be shared with the family at www.thefuneralchapel.net

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Timothy Laughlin's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

February 7, 2018

Katharyn Tuten-Puckett posted to the memorial.

January 15, 2018

Dennis Mayfield posted to the memorial.

January 12, 2018

Charles Johnson posted to the memorial.

Katharyn Tuten-Puckett

February 7, 2018

I met Tim and Sara when I was attending IU from 1987-92. I was impressed with the beautiful home he built and the love and kindness that he and Sara filled it with. My thoughts are with my friend Sara and the children. Tim will be missed.

Dennis Mayfield

January 15, 2018

I got to know Tim and Sara back when he was first stating out in construction , we shared some laughs ,some work, and some beer and food. Good times. He was a most carful Carpenter and Builder. Was one of two I would refer. We also rubbed elbows with the kids in sports. It was easy to see and know how much Tim loved his family. Our world is at a loss with out Tim in it. Sadly Missed, but I know he has gone on to a better place.

Charles Johnson

January 12, 2018

Had a chance to visit with Tim recently. Lots of reminiscing about shared experiences over the years in friendships, school, Army, etc. He will be missed. Best wishes to Sara and family.

Steve Porter

January 11, 2018

So sorry to hear about Tim's passing. Thankfully we were able to spend a little bit of time with Tim at this summer's class reunion. I have not seen Tim much since high school but have a lot of great memories. Tim will sure be missed. Our thoughts are with you Sara.

Sara Porter Smith

January 11, 2018

I have thought of Tim and Sara throughout the years and always wondered where their paths led them. I grew up two houses away from Tim's house and remember childhood games of kick the can in/around the ally behind his house. He had the best clubhouse on the second level of his garage...even equipped with a drawbridge to his back yard. His beagle, Yancy, was trained never to go outside of their yard and I think this was before electric fences. A good person, not forgotten and I feel blessed to have known both Tim and Sara as we were growing up.

Linda Lines-Sanders

January 11, 2018

I remember Tim so well. He lived across the alley from the house in which I grew up. We knew each other all through elementary school. I remember snow ball fights on Test Field. I was not always the winner. We became a little closer in high school. We occasionally made breakfast for each other before school. Rest in peace, Tim. Bless you, Sara.

Linda Lines-Sanders

January 11, 2018

I remember Tim so well. He lived across the alley from me in the home in which I grew up. We knew each other all through elementary school but became better friends in high school. We used to cook breakfast for each other occasionally before school. Sad to see you go, Tim.

Elaine Tiernan

January 11, 2018

Our RHS Class of '66 will certainly miss the kind and smiling face of Tim.
The memories of his life will be with us forever.
Elaine Tiernan

Jack Hundley

January 11, 2018

Fond memories of Tim from both Test Jr. Hi and RHS.

TIM CHAMNESS

January 11, 2018

Offering our condolences to Sara and family. Happy that I got to spend some time with Tim at our 50th RHS Reunion. I am alive today because of Tim's actions when I arrived in DaNang in 1969! Sara you'll know what I am talking about because he saved so many. I expressed my gratitude to Tim many times.

Our hearts go out to you and your family.

January 10, 2018

So sorry to hear that Tim has passed away, but glad he is not suffering anymore. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Ann McGarvey Campbell

Building Department

January 10, 2018

The Monroe County Building Department will greatly miss Tim. We are sorry for your loss.

Building Department

January 10, 2018

Tim will be greatly missed at the Monroe County Building Department.

January 10, 2018

Sorry to hear of Tim's passing, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to his family. Jeremiah 29:11 assures us God is thinking thoughts of peace towards us, to give us a future and a hope. In the days to come may you find comfort in that hope.

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Sign Timothy Laughlin's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

February 7, 2018

Katharyn Tuten-Puckett posted to the memorial.

January 15, 2018

Dennis Mayfield posted to the memorial.

January 12, 2018

Charles Johnson posted to the memorial.