of Conway, AR
July 1, 1936 - August 4, 2024
David Edwin Laughlin passed away on August 4th, 2024 at the age of 88. He was the middle child born on July 1st, 1936 in Ida Grove, Iowa. He spent his early years in Omaha, NE until he joined the US Army as a Medical Specialist in 1955. He served 3 years in the 68th Armored Division with a 14-month tour in Germany.
Dave never met a stranger. He was a storyteller and his larger-than-life personality animated his narrations. He was a fan of all sports, especially when his beloved Cornhuskers were competing. You might not have guessed it at first but he was a big ol' softy at heart.
Most of his earning years were spent on a car dealership lot. He took care of multiple generations of Conway residents from first cars to their last while working at Jodie Brown Motors for over 20 years. When he retired, he could not stay away from the people and hired on at Honda World as a driver and worked right up to his 80th birthday. His gift of gab served him well as he shuttled customers, delivered and picked up auto parts all over the state, checked in with every mechanic in the area and did little tasks around the dealership to help. When his work life came to an end, Dave transitioned into an errand runner for his wife, Linda. On any given day, you could find him on various shopping excursions, grabbing coffee and cookies and catching up with friends. For many years, Thursdays were a ritual lunch with his dearest friends, Ben Freasier of Little Rock and Don Miller, his high school best friend who moved to Conway just so they could hang out in retirement.
Dave is survived by his wife of 47 years, Linda Linch Laughlin; his children, Joe Laughlin (Jessica) of Maumelle, AR and Nina (Kent) Crutchfield of Romance, AR; his sister, Ann Nicholson of Omaha, NE and numerous other family members all over the US.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Charles Laughlin and Vera Genevieve Sharp Laughlin of Omaha, Nebraska; as well as his younger brother, Larry Laughlin of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Because Dave never forgot the life-sustaining support he and his brother received when his family fell on hard times and he was so proud to have served our country, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his honor to either the Omaha Home for Boys https://ohb.org/donate/ or the Gary Sinise Foundation https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/.
A special thanks to the nurses, doctors and support staff at the McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital who cared for Dave during the months preceding his death. You showered Dave and his family with kindness, care and honor that will always be remembered.
Services will be held for family only.
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15 Condolence(s)
Michael Kincannon
Monday, August 12, 2024
I very glad to have met Dave, he was always positive and great to talk to. You will be missed.
Dorothy Smith
Saturday, August 10, 2024
I am so sorry, Linda. Condolences to you & your family.
Tyra Reid
Friday, August 9, 2024
May blessed memories bring love and solace to Dave's family and friends. Take your well-deserved rest, Dave. Let your excellent joy and compassion permeate the universe and be with us always.
Ben Freasier
Friday, August 9, 2024
EXCELLENT , was the first word you think of with Dave. He was a force to contend with. Family, friends & relatives were all loved and greeted. I am pretty sure that he knew every body in Conway, Mayflower and most of the known World. Family, Friends, Sports, you pick the order. He could work a room like no other. DavidLaughlin, Don Miller and Ben Freasier the 3 Amigos. Lunch every Thursday for years and usually at Taylor Maid, Julie’s or Homers. David had a strong feeling for Family , Friends and Jobs. He was tops with all. Toast you Dave with a Red Beer and a promise to meet you at the RAINBOW BRIDGE in Heaven with all our combined pack. What a glorious day. I will miss you every day. Your friend and Brother. Ben
Ben Freasier
Friday, August 9, 2024
John Cox
Friday, August 9, 2024
Sorry for your loss. I certainly enjoyed my time with Dave for my 11 years at Honda World. RIP my friend!
Jennifer Petray
Friday, August 9, 2024
My day was always a little brighter after asking Dave how he was doing and he’d inevitably say “Excellent!” He brought kindness and laughter to the world. My and Tyra’s thoughts are with you Linda, Nina and Kent, and Joe and Jessica.
Joyce Hutchinson
Thursday, August 8, 2024
I am so sorry, Linda, Joe and Nina. David was such a delight. Always positive and smiling. Never once, upon seeing him, and asking how he was doing, that he didn’t respond with, EXCELLENT ! My heart, my love to each of you.
Robbie Jones
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Dave was one of the truly great car guys and just a “Excellent” person. Always a positive attitude, and was always looking for some where to go and something to do. He and I had lunch together almost every day for 7 years. And you can only imagine what conversations we had. He had seen it all and done it all and loved to talk about it all. He was a great resource for me and always offered solid advice and usually a story to boot . After I moved from Conway he and I tried to stay in touch. He would call me around my birthday and I would call him on his. He’d always ask about my boy and he’d say, tell Rachel hello,. And then say “Robbie Jones it’s good to talk to you but I gotta go. I got things to do.” Dave was a good man and a good friend, and I know that he will be missed.
Charles Zook
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Condolences to Linda, Joe, Nina, and the rest of Dave’s surviving family members. Dave was a heck of a nice guy who always made us feel welcome at his home. RIP, Dave
Michael Morris
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Linda, I'm so sorry to hear about Dave. He loved to tell stories and he loved it when Subrena would come to Camp and he'd always give her a hug. He will truly be missed.
Mike Gajeski
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Linda and family, so sorry for the loss of Dave, he was a good man who always put his family before himself. He will be greatly missed by all
Mike Kincannon
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
When I moved to Conway in 2001 Dave was the very first person I met in the parking lot of Honda World as I arrived for a job interview. He was so kind to me that day ensuring me that when I was hired that I would like working there as much has he did. I will always remember his response when asked "how are you today" and he would always say "EXCELLENT " and for the longest time thought that he didn't own a pair of long pants because he would wear shorts year round! Thank you Dave for over 20 years of friendship and guidance.
Georgann Freasier
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
To me, some of the words that come to mind to describe Dave are loyal, true friend, storyteller, big hearted, sports fan (any sport - even 3rd rerun of high school volleyball), always eager to help and many more. He was an “old school” gentleman of the best kind.
Dave will be missed by me and so many others!
Rest in Peace Dave
Julie Goodnight
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
We will miss you and your stories greatly Dave!
We all enjoyed your daily morning visits to Julie’s and hearing I’m doing “EXCELLENT “