Thomas P. McLaughlin, a cherished husband, father, and decorated veteran, passed away peacefully on Sept. 18, 2024, in Seaford. Born on Feb. 22, 1948, in New London, Connecticut, Thomas was a man of exceptional character, known for his loving nature, kindness, and unwavering faith.
Tom was a man of principle, faith, and strong ideals. He was defined by his role as a soldier, husband, father, grandfather, and a loyal friend. Straight out of high school, he joined the U.S. Army. He was soon married to his wife, Pam, and became a father to his first son, Tim. Tom served with the 82nd Airborne Division. He later was deployed to the war in Vietnam where he served with the 101st Airborne Division and the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Mobile Advisory Team 44. After returning to the United States as a decorated, wounded combat veteran, Tom finished his active duty at Ft. Benning, Georgia as a Platoon Sergeant with the 197th Infantry Brigade, training new soldiers.
After his active-duty military service, he focused on creating a meaningful home life and providing everything he could for his family. He had two more sons, Sean and Alex. Tom had numerous lasting relationships throughout his life, many of which were born from his 30 years walking the community of Seaford as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service. The USPS provided a stable environment for him and his wife to raise their family. As Tom’s boys grew up, he was an active participant as a Scout Leader in Boy Scouts, a coach in Little League baseball, and an Instructor in hunter safety.
Tom was always there for his boys and didn’t hesitate to extend his love and selflessness to their young friends as well. His life experience led him to believe that a parent’s responsibility is to prepare their children to be self-sufficient and pave their own path in life. He brought that approach to everything that he endeavored within his community. His intent was always to give people in his life the tools that they needed to help themselves into the future. This was true whether it was coaching baseball, hunting, personal relationships, matters of faith, and even bowling. He never held back. He always took time for a conversation.
After retiring from the USPS, Tom had many hobbies and interests. He loved NCAA baseball, photography, hunting, and spending time out on a lawnmower, landscaping with his friends at Manlove Lawncare. Later in life, as his health declined and his struggle with serious disease grew, he continued to inspire and pass on his perspective in hopes to better the lives of those he cared for. He fought and struggled until he gave everything he had. This was who he was in all aspects of his life. His is forever a life of service.
He leaves behind his beloved wife of 57 years, Pamela McLaughlin (née Lindell), and their sons, Tim (Kathy), Sean (Elisa), and Alex (Karen); granddaughters Cambria, Peyton, and Morgan; sister Karen Bernard, brother Gerald (Dana), sister-in-law Paula Wells, brother in-law Pierce Lindell (Teresa) and numerous nieces and nephews. Thomas was predeceased by his parents, Thomas James and Nora Mae (Holmgren) McLaughlin; and his brothers Edward and Richard Parker.
Visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, Sept. 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Watson Yates Funeral Home (Parsell) 609 E. King St, Seaford, DE 19973
A funeral service will be held on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 2 p.m. at Mt Olivet United Methodist Church, 315 High St, Seaford, DE 19973. A reception will follow the funeral service at the Nanticoke River Yacht Club, 30 Market Street, Blades, DE 19973.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Thomas’s name be made to Mt Olivet United Methodist Church at 315 High St, Seaford, DE 19973 or Fisher House Foundation, Inc. at 12300 Twinbrook Pkwy, Suite 410, Rockville, MD 20852 https://fisherhouse.org.
Please sign Thomas’s Life Memorial at www.watsonyatesfuneralhome.com.