Charles Vincent McLaughlin

Charles (Chuck) McLaughlin was born in Dodge, North Dakota on June 13, 1935 to Rosalie (Rose) and Charles McLaughlin. He was born into a family of six sisters, the youngest of which was 10 years his senior. Chuck, his parents and his sister Lillian moved to Dickinson, North Dakota during his elementary school days when his father took a job with the highway department. Chuck lost his father when he was seven years of age and his mother died during his senior year of high school. After high school, Chuck joined the United States Air Force and served his country for six years in Indiana, French Morocco and Germany. He obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant. After returning home from his service, Chuck worked various jobs and took advantage of the GI Bill to attend Dickinson State Teacher’s College and graduated in 1964. In February of 1960 Chuck met his best friend, love of his life and soulmate, Rose Morgan, who he proposed to in April and married on September 2, 1960. Chuck and Rose welcomed two children to the family, Carla and Todd, while living in Dickinson.

During college, Chuck worked part-time at the Dickinson Press covering sports and there developed his love for journalism. He worked at the Press all through college and then went to work fulltime after graduation. Chuck worked in every facet of the operation – taking photos, writing news articles, editing and layout. Chuck became the Editor of the Dickinson Press and one of his editorials was entered in the US Congressional Record. In 1969 Chuck took a job with the Rocky Mountain News and the family moved to Golden, Colorado. Chuck worked 36 years at the Rocky Mountain News in various capacities including editor and finishing his career as a sports copy editor. He was fondly known as “Charlie” in the newsroom and made many dear, lifetime friends.

Chuck became a Freemason in the 1960s and continued his membership in the group throughout his lifetime. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and lived by the tenents of Freemasonry including faith, justice, truth, charity, enlightenment, freedom, liberty, honesty and integrity in all human endeavors. He instilled these values in his family and they are eternally grateful for the blessings of having him in their lives.

Chuck loved sports of all kinds and was a fan of the CU Buffs, Broncos and Minnesota Vikings, and many others. He enjoyed skiing, golf and loved watching his five grandchildren playing softball, baseball, basketball and dance. He was an active and engaged grandparent and spent many hours driving back and forth to practices and games. Chuck was an equally involved great-grandparent and the highlight of his week was caring for his great-grandchildren which he did up until about six weeks before his death.

Chuck was an avid fan of jazz and big band music and attended concerts whenever he could. Chuck enjoyed reading, was a history buff and an endless fountain of information for his family. On just about any topic, if there was a question, Chuck was the go-to guy. Chuck and Rose enjoyed spending time with family and traveling throughout the United States – a favorite being Hawaii, and had a vacation of a lifetime in 2008 when they spent a month in Europe.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rose, daughter Carla Zinanti, son Todd McLaughlin, grandchildren Jonathan, Abigail and Joseph Zinanti and Sydney and Arlo McLaughlin. Chuck was the proud great-grandparent of Harrison, Hannah and Azalea Zinanti. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Shriner’s Hospital.