Ralph Edward McLaughlin

April 6, 1927 - November 14, 2011

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Westbrook Church of Christ

Friday 11/18, 4:30 pm

Ralph Edward McLaughlin, age 84, passed away Monday evening, November 14th, at the Palliative Care Unit at Covenant Hospital in Lubbock, following a brief illness. He was surrounded by friends and family.Ralph was the son of Marvin and Salome Bledsoe McLaughlin, born on April 6, 1927 in Ralls, Texas. He graduated from Kemper Military High School in 1944 and served briefly in the Army before entering Texas Tech, where he graduated with a degree in Finance in 1949.Ralph lived a large and colorful life. He served as President of the Big Spring Chamber of Commerce, Big Spring ISD school trustee, a member of the Big Spring City Council and Mayor pro-tem. He's also served as a long time director of Vista Bank. Ralph was President of the Big Spring Rotary Club in 1960, Rotary District Governor in 1975-76 and International Director from 1991 to 1993, as well as serving on several committees and as the Rotary President's representative – which allowed he and his wife, Billye, to travel and see other countries through the eyes of dignitaries and other prominent people all over the world.Ralph is survived by his wife, Billye, three daughters, Sheryl Cox and her husband, Dr. Bruce Cox, of Big Spring, Kae McLaughlin of Austin, Marianne Weidemann and her husband, Don, also of Austin; and one son, Scott McLaughlin and his wife, Mary Kay of Lubbock. He had six beloved grandchildren and one great-grandchild: Steve Cox and his wife, Tasha of Aurora, Colorado; Josh Edward Cox of Austin; Jennifer McLaughlin Wegner and her husband, Heath and their daughter, Sophia Elizabeth of Big Spring; Anna McLaughlin of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Jamie and Margot Weidemann of Austin. He is also survived by his sister, Ann Orr of Chicago, Illinois and sister-in-law, Ramona McLaughlin of Lubbock.He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.Ralph was preceded in death by his brother, Gene McLaughlin and a half-brother, Arnett Ware.There will be a funeral service at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1510 Avenue X, in Lubbock, Friday, November 18th at 4:30 PM with visitation following in the parish hall. There will also be a Committal service the following morning, Saturday, November 19th at 11:00 AM at the columbarium of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 1001 Goliad, Big Spring.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to the Rotary Foundation.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,

Westbrook Church of Christ

Friday 11/18, 4:30 pm

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Billye and Children, Ellis and I were sorry to learn of the death of Ralph. He was truly a very special person and concerned and devoted citizen who always had a special smile and "hello" for everyone. His contributions to his community will be remembered by many. Our thoughts are with you. Ellis and janelle Britton

I was deeply saddened to hear of Ralph's death. He was a good man and a caring man. I treasure my time as his friend and will keep him and his family in my prayers.

The members of our Sunday School wish to extend our sincere sympathy in your loss and to assure you of our prayers during this time.

Friends , noticed Ralph passed and wanted you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you all. I have alot of fond memeories growing up and living around Ralph. He will be sorely missed certainly by his family but also all of us that had the pleasure of knowing what a fine man he was. Regards

Dear Scott and Family, My prayers are with you. It is not easy to lose a loved one. God bless you and your family. Jumbo Pearce

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

My condolences to you and your family Sheryl. Our prayers are with you.

Billye, My heart fell to the floor upon hearing of your loss. Ralph continues to be a role model for me and everyone that knew him, you both were. I will be in Mesquite caring for my own father whose health is fading. Please know my prayers and love are with you and your family, as always. Love Mark & Denise

Ralph and Billye always brought to the Rotary function(s) an added demension of friendship and understanding. Each of us that had the opportunity of serving on the Rotary International Board with Ralph quickly found Ralph to be a very knowledgdable Rotarian and would be an effective leader. It was also evident that Ralph and Billye were great friends and also very devoted to teach other. Our good wishes to all the famly, Glenn & Mary Estess

Ralph will always hold such a sweet spot in all our hearts!! Hope you all know how very much we respected and admired your dad. May all the dear memories help you all heal from this sad passing. You and yours will be in our prayers. Love, Dottie and James and Paula and Dave

It is with great sadness that we just learned of Ralph's death. Ralph and Billye were such wonderful friends. Our visits with them and occasional travels were always enjoyable and filled with stories and laughter. Ralph's service and dedication to Rotary International has been a demonstration of his great humanitarian concern for others and will always be remembered. We will miss his friendship, ready smile, and always optomist spirit. We send our sincerest condolences to Billye and all of the family.

Ralph and Billye were of our most dear friends on the RI Board. We joked that we decided the answers to the challenges of Rotary on our early morning walks together. Ralph and Billye were pure Texas. It was a great joy to visit them with our five oldest grandchildren who were immediately adopted by Ralph and Billye. He was honest, clear thinking, spoke his mind, always good for a joke. Our lives were made much richer by having Ralph and Billye as our dear, wonderful friends. Bill and Jean Cadwallader

Ed is remembered well and kindly by very many Rotarians around the world. My sympathy to his family. PRID Bob Shoemaker

So sorry to hear of your loss. Ralph was a perfect example of how to live life to the fullest. He will be missed.

Dear Scott and family, My thoughts are with you during this time of sorrow. Sincerely, Eve Nieto

With sympathy, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers today. I am so sorry that I will be unable to attend the service today due to an illness in my family. Love, Mary Lou

Billye and Family, We give thanks for Ralph's leadership in Rotary, as well as for your kindness over the years. Our love, Kathleen and Phil Silvers PRID

Ralph was a great man. It was my privilige to serve on the School Board with him in 1971-72. My prayers are for him and his family.

to all of Ralph's family: May you feel God's arm around your shoulder in this trying time. I will always remember Ralph's big smile as I know you will. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

To a great man.We will miss him.Our love to the family

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Dear Scott and Family, just a note to let you know I am praying for you all during this time of sorrow on home going of Ralph. What a great man and made a difference in each and everyone of us. Praying for peace and strength during this time. God Bless!

Ralph was a great support the time that I can to know him through Rotary. He was a great example of what leadership looked like and he had awsome networking skills. I have learned a lot by whatch ing him interact with others and I am thankful for having a chance to have known him. God Speed Ralph Timothy Green Municipal Court Judge "There can be no equal justice where the kind of trial a man gets depends on the amount of money he has." - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black, 1964

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's not easy to say goodbye.

Ralph was a true Rotarian. Kind hearted, loving and a hard worker for things that are important. You will truly be missed.

We have known Ralph and Billye for many years through Rotary. I have never seen Ralph without a smile on his face. He taught me more about Service above Self than any other person I have met. He will be missed by his friends and Rotarians. He loved to fly and now he won't need an aircraft to do that. Goc will provide his wings.

He was known as a wonderful man serving others. His work through Rotary is well known. He will be missed. We extend our condolences, thoughts and prayers to the family.

TO Billye & Family: We never saw Ralph when he wasn't smiling or laughing. He was always involved with something that was for the good of other people. He was an inspiration to many, ourselves included. He helped set us on a path in friendship and in business that has put us where we are today, and we will always remember him for that. His family became a part of our lives and were like an extension of our own family. For that, we also thank him. We will never forget him and will miss him dearly. Hold on to the memories because there were many, many good ones. We love and care for all of you. Sincerely, Dalton & Carol Lewis

Ralph and Billye were mentors for Bonnie and I as we started our Rotary journey. Ralph was always available to assist and give advice. He was a true southern gentleman and will be missed by all who knew him. The family is in our thoughts and prayers.

I truly don't believe Ralph ever met a stranger ... perhaps someone he didn't previously know, but never a stranger. I shall always remember his smile and his drive and determination to make a positive difference in the world through all things we do. I recall a flight from Big Spring to Presidio -- with a drive across the border to visit an orphanage once and Ralph's whole personality became animated as the children laughed and played and gathered around. Big Spring, Howard County, Texas and the world are all better places because Ralph was part of them all. He just made you feel better. To Billye, Scott and the rest of the family, my condolences on your loss.

Billye and Family, My heart goes out to ya'll. Billye, you and Ralph have always been so special to me. I am so glad that I can count ya'll as examples to me as I was growing up. Thank you so much for all the time ya'll spent on us kids. Your in my prayers. Much love to you. Raylene

Carolyn and I send our condolences to Billye and all of the family of Ralph McLaughlin. We knew Ralph through Rotary. He was admired by everyone who knew him. We shall remember Ralph, for his dedication to Billye, his family, Rotary and our country. When Ralph spoke, it was always from his heart, and you knew where he stood on issues. We will all truly miss his smile, his wisdom and fun. God be with the family at this time of grief. Sincerely, Don and Carolyn Mebus

I never knew Ralph personally, but I was blessed to have known and grown up with three of his children who I still call my friends, today. All I had to go by, as far as knowing anything about he or Mrs. McLaughlin is that they did an excellent job raising their children and teaching them the importance of friendships, their community, and family values. The McLaughlin's were a very respected family of Big Spring while I was growing up and it was an honor and priviledge to have grown up with the McLaughlin's and I value my friendship with the children of Ralph and Billye McLaughlin. May God be with each of you and give you the strength you need to get through this sad time. All my love....

Ralph was a kind-hearted, jovial man whose presence always filled the room with laughter and life. He had a marvelous sense of humor and quick wit. When I remember every encounter with him, it involved either his telling me his lastest joke or catching me off guard by making a hilarious comment while keeping a straight face. He liked people, and I know he was passionate about the good works he was fortunate to participate in, especially through the collective, admirable achievements of Rotary. I admired the way Ralph spoke his mind and took a firm stance on issues that were important to him even if others disagreed with him. I extend my deepest sympathy to his lovely wife, Billye, and to the rest of his wonderful family.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.