E.L. “Bud” McLaughlin passed away peacefully at his home on the ranch on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. He was 93 years of age.
Bud was born at Melbeta, Nebraska on March 21, 1931 to E. Lynn and Dorothy Mae (Garrett) McLaughlin
Bud was drafted into the U.S. Army and entered active duty on November 21, 1951. On April 19, 1952 in Colorado he was united in marriage to Laurie Mulloy prior to his deployment overseas. He served 18 months in Korea. Immediately after his honorable discharge October 29, 1953 he returned home and went right back into ranching. To this union, three children were born.
With the help of his family, Bud was able to achieve his lifelong dream of owning a ranch in partnership with his two sons. One of Bud’s passions was breaking horses, which he began doing at a very young age. He was a skilled horseman. A lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association, Bud spent his life training horses, raising colts and even owned a racehorse with a superior rating at one point. He was also active with the American Breeders Service, a cattle industry beef genetics company for 36 years.
He was a member of the Camp Clarke Lodge No. 285 A.F. & A.M. in Bridgeport. He was currently the holder of the Jordan Medal signifying him as having the longest membership in the lodge. He was also a lifetime member of the N.R.A. Bud knew no stranger, and rarely missed an opportunity to visit with a neighbor.
Bud is survived by his 3 children, Jerre (Kenny) Mount, Mike (Karen) McLaughlin, and Dean (Becky) McLaughlin. He is also survived by his 6 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his brother, Eldon and his sister, Donna.
Funeral services will be held at the United Methodist Church in Alliance, Nebraska on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Greg Reed officiating. Interment will be in the Alliance Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be Monday, March 10 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Bates-Gould Funeral Home.
Memorials may be given to the Alliance Volunteer Fire Department.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.