Patrick T. McLaughlin, 46, AT1-US Navy-Retired-Gulf War Veteran of Spring Hill, Florida died at the James A. Haley VA Hospital, Tampa, Florida on May 23, 2013.

The son of Francis and Nancy McLaughlin, Patrick was born on November 25, 1966 in Wayne, Michigan. He was a local Spring Hill, Florida resident moving here from San Leandro, California earlier this year.

He retired from the US Navy at the rank of AT 1 serving during Gulf War Era at NAS Oceana, Virginia. During his career, he was a Systems Maintenance Technician; F-14 B/D Maintenance Technician and a Maintenance Systems Instructor. He was awarded the Four (4)-US Navy Achievement Medal; Enlisted Aviation Warfare Badge; Two (2) US Navy Commendations Medals; Three (3) Meritorious Unit Commendations; Four (4) Good Conduct Medals; Two (2) Navy “E” Ribbons; Two (2) National Defense Medals; Three (3) Overseas Service Ribbons; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals; Four (4) Sea Service Deployment Medals; Kuwait Liberation Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal w/ Bronze Star and a Master Training Specialist Medal. 

Patrick is survived by his loving family: his parents, Francis McLaughlin of Texas and Nancy (McLaughlin) Taylor of Spring Hill, Florida; his wife, Lola McLaughlin of Kapolei, Hawaii; a wonderful and loving father to his five sons: Travis Gilmore of Hayward, California, Patrick T. McLaughlin of Spring Hill, Florida, John P. McLaughlin of Port St John, Florida, Timothy P. McLaughlin of Port St John , Florida Matthew McLaughlin Port St John, Florida; his two daughters, Michaella Cargill of San Leandro, California and Arthel Cargill of Union City, California; two brothers; Anthony McLaughlin of Brooksville, Florida and Michael McLaughlin of Boston, Massachusetts; two sisters, Michele Collins of Newark, Texas and Deborah Rourke of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire and a grandchild, Kayden McLaughlin.

At his request, he will be buried at sea, in a casket by the US Navy off the Coast of San Diego, California. 

Proverbs 23:22 "Listen to your father who gave you life…"

There's a saying that any guy can father a child, but it takes a real man to be a dad. I was born into this world to a ghost of a man. He was never there. He never called. Never sent a birthday card. And then along came Patrick Thomas McLaughlin, strapping young sailor, kind hearted man, future father to me, 5'7", brown hair, mischievous brown eyes, warm smile. This is what a man looks like. He was the most unselfish person I could ever know and he gave without a second thought, though his monetary possessions were very few. He took on a responsibility that was not his own, caring for three children that he had no legal ties to. And boy did he love us, with a fierceness that I could not fully appreciate until I grew a bit older. He was a fountain of joy, to me, and a stronghold to my siblings. Loved immensely by his children, even those of us who were not his genetically, but heart and soul. With all that my father had to offer and all the goodness that he was, the thing I admired about him the most was his hunger for God. Life may not have been kind to him, but God most certainly was. He sought truth in everything he did, and he found it in the last few years of his life. 

There is so much I want to say, so much love and anguish that I want to convey, but words could only shame the feelings I have for my father. Instead, I will settle for this: I love my daddy more than anyone else on this earth. He gave me life and joy and everything I ever wanted. The force of the impact he made on my life is enough to push me to the end of my life, and I yearn for the day when God calls me home and I am granted the joyous luxury of hugging his neck once more. 

For You Daddy,

Until We Meet Again.

Your "Pumpkin"

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