John Wilson McLaurin Sr.

May 21, 1919-January 8, 2013

Upatoi, GA- John Wilson McLaurin, 93, LTC, USA, (Ret.) of Upatoi, Georgia, and Covenant Woods Retirement Home, died peacefully in the presence of his family under care at Columbus Hospice on January 8, 2013. Colonel McLaurin was born May 21, 1919, in Wadesboro, North Carolina to the late Daniel Henry and Elizabeth Crider McLaurin. He followed Mildred his childhood sweetheart to California and entered the U.S. Navy when World War II broke out. He transferred to the U.S. Army where he served with distinction over the next twenty eight years. He served during World War II and Korea, and three tours in Germany, his last at Headquarters USAEUR in Heidelberg. Apart from multiple deployments overseas, he served his entire stateside military career at Fort Benning. He served as an instructor at the Infantry School, and later retired from the Adjutant General Corps. After retirement, he became a successful realtor in Columbus. Colonel McLaurin enjoyed turkey hunting, fishing and chopping wood. He was an avid vegetable gardener and took great pride in his tomatoes and corn. He had a passion for history, especially of Scotland, and attended Clan gatherings all over the South. He was instrumental in the McLaurin/MacLaren Clan choosing the Ellen Payne Odom Genealogical Library in Moultrie GA as the repository for the papers of his clan. He loved to travel and enjoyed many road trips across the U.S., and Canada especially the Western U.S.

He was a member of the Military Order of World Wars (MOWW), Fort Benning Masonic Lodge, Citizens Against Waste in Government and various investment clubs. For many years he was actively involved in the Upatoi Community Association. He was well known for his honesty, integrity, independent thinking and his willingness to help those less fortunate. In his later years, his activity was constrained by the gradual loss of his eyesight, but he still enjoyed his crossword puzzles and occasional trips to play poker.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years Mildred, four of his siblings, Hugh McLaurin, Eleanor Ruth McRorie and Bennett McLaurin of Wadesboro, North Carolina and Nell Bryant (Wilbur) of Upatoi, Georgia.

He is survived by his son, John W. McLaurin, Jr. (Janet) of Newport News, VA, daughters, Laurie Guard (Charlie) of Kula, HI and Bonnie McLaurin of Gainesville, FL, two granddaughters, Kimberly Vincent (Frank) of Newport News, VA and Moriah Guard of Brunswick, GA, four great-granddaughters, Jamison McLaurin, Alexis Armstrong, Cheyenne Conaway of Newport News, VA, Lauren Guard Hinnant of Kula, Hawaii, and his sister, Sadie Earley of Greer, SC.

A special thank-you to all the care-givers at Covenant Woods, Gentiva Home Health, Columbus Hospice and Freedom Home Care, as well as Dr. Ribiero at Martin Army Hospital and Dr. Folarin Olubowale for their compassion and care in these last few months.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, January 12, 2013 in the chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary 4071 Macon Road Columbus.

The family will receive friends at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary on Saturday, January 12th, 2013 following the memorial service.

Memorial donations can be made to Valley Isle Rescue Mission in Columbus. Condolences may be sent to John W. McLaurin, Jr., 165 Carnegie Drive, Newport News, VA 23606-2612.

Online condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com