Obituary of William "Sam" Thomas McLaughlin, III
William (Sam) Thomas McLaughlin III
Following a brief and courageous battle with cancer, William (Sam) Thomas McLaughlin III passed away in his home on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 with his brother, Matt, and his mother, Ruth Ann, by his side. The son of William (Bill) Thomas McLaughlin II and Ruth Ann (Walker) McLaughlin, Sam was born on April 7, 1962 in Parkersburg, WV, before relocating to Fairmont, WV where he was raised and then returned later in his life. He was a graduate of Fairmont Senior High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Shepherd University.
Anyone who knew Sam knows that his passions were his family, friends, beloved dogs, and art work; and what an artist he was! Sam truly lived his life to the fullest through simple pleasures: fishing, camping, painting, gardening and spending time with the people he loved so dearly. Sam had a natural way of making people feel comfortable and brightening up a room just by being in it. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his brother Matt (Donna) McLaughlin, and sisters Sally Cline, Amy (Marty) Ball, Gretchen (Jamie) Stup and Lisa Jenson; his nieces and nephews, Emily Cline, Andrew Ball, Jessica Ball, Quinn Stup, Hayden Stup, Jared Jenson, and Jessica (Brandon) Settle; and many cousins and wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his father, a brother, David McLaughlin, his paternal and maternal grandparents and several aunts and uncles. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Stanley Beafore, Buddy Anderson, Gary Tonkery, Russ Bonasso, Chet Nickolish, as well as his many other friends and neighbors for their companionship and help over the past several months.
A celebration of life will be held at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church in Fairmont, WV on Friday, July 13, 2018 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a luncheon. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that a contribution be made to the “Sam McLaughlin Scholarship Fund,” c/o Matt McLaughlin, 1427 Earl L. Core Road, Morgantown, WV 26505. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ford Funeral Home, Ford Chapel, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont, WV 26554. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.FORDFUNERALHOMES.com
