A funeral service for Galen L. McLaughlin, 91, of Chickasha, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024 at Parkview Christian Church with Joseph Woods officiating.
Galen Leroy McLaughlin was born February 5, 1933 in Geuda Springs, Kansas to Harry Wilson McLaughlin and Lura Maude (Demott) McLaughlin. He passed from this life on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at his home in Chickasha surrounded by his family.
Galen grew up in Sumner County, Kansas. He graduated from Arkansas City Kansas High School in 1951. He spent two years in Junior College in Arkansas City before being drafted to serve in the United States Army from 1953 until 1955 where he was stationed in Germany.
On November 9, 1956, in Arkansas City, Kansas, he married the love of his life Marjory A. Nelson and they shared 68 years together.
Galen attended Oklahoma State University Technological School in Okmulgee to become certified as a Diesel Mechanic. Galen and Margie then moved to Chickasha where Galen was employed with the Oklahoma State University Research Station as an Agricultural Engineer. While employed he designed, built, and tested farm machinery for cotton and other farm related processes for engineers in Stillwater, Oklahoma. After working for thirty-nine years, he retired in 1997. Galen was a collector of antique tools; he was also a member of the Midwest Tool Club and Missouri Valley Tool Club. He loved traveling overseas with his family, gardening, attending tool shows throughout the Midwest, and tinkering in his shop.
In earlier years Galen and Margie were active members in the Swinging Chicks Square Dance Club.
He was a lifelong member of Parkview Christian Church in Chickasha where he served as a Deacon and Elder.
Galen was preceded in death by both parents, brothers Fred McLaughlin and Marvin McLaughlin.
Loved ones left to remember him are his wife, Margie, of the home; son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Vicki McLaughlin of Madill; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Don Vitello of Chickasha; step daughter and husband, Candia and Larry Smith of Wichita, Kansas; Grandchildren, Brandy and Quinton Roller of Sulphur, Chris McLaughlin of Grove, Heather and Daniel Kennedy of Tuttle, Lisa and Russell Boswell of Chickasha, April and Mike Dorsey of Park City, Kansas, and Brian and Tarin Smith of Eudora, Kansas; fourteen great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren and other extended family and friends.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Parkview Christian Church; Youth Fund, PO Box 279, Chickasha, OK 73023.
A viewing for Galen will be at Ferguson Funeral Home on Sunday, December 15, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. where family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Interment will be in Fairlawn Cemetery under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.