Earl Mclaughlin

It is with much sadness in our Hearts that the family of Former Sergeant USAF Earl Lee McLaughlin Jr. a resident of El Cajon, California, announce that Earl passed away on September 3rd of 2024 - at age 65. Earl was senior accountant for special projects with San Diego Gas and Electric Company for many years until he retired several years ago.Earl had been afflicted with the crippling disease known as Friedrich’s Ataxia for 45 years or more. He was one of the oldest known survivors of this neurological disease.After graduating from Mount Miguel High School with the class of 1976  (before being diagnosed with Ataxia) he joined the United States Air Force. He took his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base located near San Antonio, Texas.  Earl met his friend Ed Hill soon after joining the US Air Force. Then  he was shipped over to the UK where he met Brian and Pauline Barley who along with Ed Hill became his lifetime - very Special  friends. Upon the completion of his enlistment in the Air Force he returned from England to his home in San Diego and brought many people together to form the first National Ataxia Foundation here in San Diego. Over the years Earl, along with Family members and so many other good people, practically dedicated their lives to raising money to help find a cure for Ataxia and to bring much needed awareness to the citizens who didn’t know anything about Ataxia’s - including some Doctors who were completely unaware of Friedrich’s Ataxia  - until they were enlightened.Long before the 20th Century ended people like Larry Jaffe (now deceased) and his wife Jane Jaffe (former Committee’s secretary) along with so many others got involved to assist Earl with the first Nationally known  “Walk and Roll For Ataxia” event. Our committee planned for all participants to walk or roll along Harbor Drive in the area of Tuna Harbor here in San Diego, California . Although Earl is no longer with us - he and his work will be long remembered and he will be Loved forever by everyone who ever had the pleasure of knowing him along with his well known Service dogs “Toby & Pip.”Arrangements are being made by Earl’s niece Amber Sterling along with her husband Eric Sterling. It  must be mentioned here that Amber along with her brother Alan Lenox contributed much help for Earl and his brother Charley’s care over the years. These two kids were only a little more than 8 to 10 years old when they began to help their two uncles with their various needs. They were positively amazing. Earl is survived by his Parents - Patricia and Harold Ward (San Diego, CA) Earl McLaughlin Sr. (Yuma, AZ) Earl’s two sisters June and her husband Roger Wood (El Cajon, CA) Mary and her husband Craig Roth (Sacramento, CA) In addition Earl is survived by stepbrothers and stepsisters; Lynda Howell, Dennis Ward, John Ward and Melodie Ward with a very large extended family who reside anywhere from the border of Mexico to the Canadian border - and as far east as the Mississippi River. Hopefully, Earl and his service dogs Toby & Pip are reunited in heaven along with his brother Charley McLaughlin, nephew Anthony McLaughlin and his step-sister Peggy Sue Ewing who predeceased Earl in his recent departure from all of us who are left here on Earth - to carry on. 

Written by; 

Earl’s mean old Step Father-“Ward” who always knew so little - according to Earl. 

Smile!

Please join us in remembering our family and friend in celebrating life’s accomplishments for Earl McLaughlin Jr. 

Celebrate of Life 

Earl McLaughlin’s House

2087 Granite Hills Drive 

El Cajon, CA 92019

Saturday October 19th, 2024

10a to 2p

Church Mass Services 

Saint Louise De Marillac Church

2005 Crest Drive 

El Cajon, CA  92021

Monday October 21st, 2024

11a to 12p

Burial Service

Miramar National Cemetery

5795 Nobel Drive 

San Diego, CA 92122

Monday October 21st, 2024

1:30p to 2p