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Born in Pittsburgh, PA the son of the late Lester Laughner and Irene Elliott Laughner. He graduated from Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg, FL. Don retired as a major and 23-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps, with tours in Vietnam and Japan. He then worked 10 years as a district sales manager for General Electric before attending Bible College at Pinecrest in Salisbury Center, NY. He served as a pastoral assistant at Middle Smithfield Presbyterian Church in East Stroudsburg, PA before moving to Jacksonville, NC to serve as a home group leader and in prison ministry. During this time, Don completed his Bachelor’s Degree in theology at Canada Christian College. He returned to Upstate NY and joined the staff at Pinecrest, serving as Bible teacher, men’s counselor, and business manager.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jean Murphy Laughner. One daughter, Pamela Laughner Mann and her husband Kenneth and two sons, David Laughner and his wife Gezelle and Douglas Laughner. He has three grandchildren, Joshua Laughner, Jennifer Mann Sadler, and Rebecca Mann Smith and two great grandchildren, Grace Sadler and Lynleigh Sadler.
At this time the memorial service for Donald is for Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at the Grace Church (100 S Choctaw Rd, Choctaw, OK 73020) at 2:00 P.M. A Graveside service with military honors will be held at 1300 on Thursday November 12, 2015 at Fort Gibson National Cemetery, Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.
Donna Rohrmiller says
Condolences to Jean and the family. I know that Don is now experiencing the joy of His Lord in heaven. Remembering Don as I knew him in Pinecrest, as a man of determination and integrity with a gentle spirit and a loving heart.
Thomas Worth says
Dear Jean, May the Lord comfort you and your family. It took courage, imagination and a willingness to follow Jesus to pull up stakes and come to Bible school. That’s a big change in mid-life! Only Eternity will be able to measure the rewards of being able to minister to people in Jesus’ name. I am so glad we had the priviledge of getting to know you and Don. We are the richer for it.
May the Lord grant you His peace and His presence through this time.
Love,
Tom & Marsha
Thomas Worth says
May the Lord comfort you!
Love from Tom & Marsha
Dan and Dawn Moore says
Jean, we are praying the Holy Spirit just wraps you and holds during this time. We will be praying for you all.
Ashley & John Picataggi says
Dear Jean & family,
May the Lord comfort you during this very difficult time. I have such fond memories of Don during my time as a student at Pinecrest. Praying for you all.
Robbie Losee says
So many good memories, but my favorite was the times I has to go to his office to get the van keys, and I’d wait outside the glass-paneled door for a bit because I could see him at his desk with his hands folded and his head bowed in prayer. I feel sad for Jean, but I know the Major is finally able to see his Commander-in-Chief face to face. (I think that’s how Don might have said it.)
Chris and Nancy Tringali says
Oh, Jean…I am sorry to hear about the loss of Don aka “The Major.” Thank you both for being our friends at Pinecrest and sharing your lives with us. I will always remember the Major for his teaching style and our chats around the lunch table, as well as out times spent with you guys at the apartment with the pup!
Like Robbie said…the Major is face to face with the C.I.C. And we know he is doing fantastic! My prayers are with you and the family as you mourn his loss. May our Lord comfort you all with the love, peace and presence only He can provide, in Jesus’s name. Always, fond memories and love.
Chris and Nancy
Ralph and Christa Ozoya says
We love you and we are praying for you Jean, and your family. So blessed to have known Mr. Laugner and to have had him as a teacher. He is in eternal peace with his beloved, Jesus
Julia Ruane-Smith says
Lord, I ask that you lay your hand of peace on the heads of the family as they mourn the passing of such a kind man.
Joan F. Mann says
Dear Jean and Family,
I was so happy to see you both in August. Please know that all my family are sharing your sorry. You will be in our prayers always . Love Joan
Michael and Donna Smith says
A wonderful man of God, dear brother and a Vet. I’m honored to have known him and taught with him at Bethany BTC. Will be praying for Jean and family. See you on the other side brother. –michael and donna
Al and KAren Bugos says
Dear Jean and family,
We watched the memorial service online from here in Upstate New York. What a fitting tribute to the power of Jesus Christ to transform a life and affect a family. Families like yours are getting rarer and rarer. It has been a plesure to know you folks and serve with you.
May the Lord’s blessings continue on in your lives in a powerful way.
Blessings in Jesus,
Al and Karen Bugos
Laura (Swift)White says
He was one of my favorite teachers at Pinecrest! A true man of God with so much wisdom to share! Praying for you Jean! May the Lord hold you closer to his heart than ever before!
Wanda F. Sewell says
Dear Jean and family, So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I trust our Lord Jesus wraps His loving arms around all of you during this time. I will hold you in my heart and prayers.
Love in Christ,
Wanda
Emily Whittaker says
Dearest Jean,
I’m so sorry for your loss…I always enjoyed Don…he sure had a way with words! You two have been a blessing to me and I’m sure to many others through the years. I’m praying for you and your family.
Much love,
Emily
Dr Ed Bez says
Though I never had the privedge and honor of serving with Donald I have deep respect for any and all faculty/staff that served the Lord at PBTC.
I was blessed and enriched to have served there for a few years. Rest dear Brother and greet Brother Taylor.
David Robertson says
Dear Jean and Family,
I’m praying for comfort and strength for you during this time. I really appreciate Don and all that he taught me during my time at Pinecrest. He is a good man and will be greatly missed.
Blessings,
David
Rod and Wendy Levey says
Dear Jean and family,
Our deepest condolences to all of you for the homecoming of Don. He was a pleasure to know and we have fond memories of our time together at Pinecrest. May you find comfort and peace in the arms of Jesus at this time.
Love and prayers,
Rod and Wendy Levey
Steph and Brian Fuller says
Dear Jean,
Brian and I are praying for you and your family during this difficult time. You and Don were very special to us during our time at Pinecrest. You were both easy to talk with and we always enjoyed our dinner conversations with the two of you. It was easy to see how much you loved each other. I can only pray that the Lord blesses our marriage the way that He did for the two of you. Love, Stephanie and Brian Fuller
Jo Ann Kelly says
Dear Jean,
I remember you & Don so well for your kindness & hospitality & showing the love of Jesus to me. I remember having home groups with you & also running into you on campus at Pinecrest as you were taking walks. My thoughts love & prayers go to you now & always.
Jo Ann
Walter & Joan Muench says
Dear Jean & family,
So sorry to hear of the passing of Don. We fondly think of the wonderful times of fellowship we had together while you lived in N.C. We always had such a unity of spirit as we ever pressed into more of our precious Saviour
Jesus Christ. Now may HIS presence and love ,comfort, strengthen and bless you in the days ahead.
Love, Walter & Joan Muench
John & Trudy Quinlan says
Dear Jean and family, It was very special to meet you both at Pinecrest years ago when you came there. There was a beautiful gift of fellowship from the start. Your love for the Lord and for His people is a blessing. Don was a really good man, and it was inspiring that he and you made the decision to pursue God’s plans during those days after his working career. May the Lord uphold you and keep you in peace now that Don is with Him in heaven. Praise God for His work through Don and you. God bless you.
Betty and Bruce Pettis says
Jean,
our condonences to you and your family
Love and prayers ,
Betty & Bruce Pettis
Palmer and Carolyn Brown says
we were so sad to hear of Don’s passing, but can’t help but Praise the Lord for the assurance that Don is in a better place now, and we look forward to seeing him again. We have such wonderful memories of the two of you ( and the boys ) in Hawaii and are grateful for the times we shared the Lord and many prayers. You have always been in our thoughts
Owen Lovejoy says
Dear Jean,
Although we have not seen you or Don in 10 years, we have thought of you both from time to time, wondering how you were doing and where you ended up. I just read the news about Don’s passing. I’m so sorry. You befriended us when we most needed it. We remember you both with fondness and with thankfulness for your friendship.
Love and blessings,
Owen and Anita Lovejoy
Tequila says
Your home is valueble for me. Thanks!…
https://mail.google.com/
Tom Lateer says
Only just hearing of this. I knew him for a short time but understood Don was a man of strong character and stature, a committed stabilizing influence, easily liked and well respected. God’s abundant grace to all who loved and will miss him.
dan pryse says
So sorry to read of this. I was a friend of the Major and Mrs Laughner son’s David and Doug. He took me into his home on many night’s, most memorable was when my Grandfather died on the 23RD of December of 1978 I think. Major and Mrs. Laughner took me in I and spent Christmas Eve Midnight candle services at their church and with their family. I alway’s saw the Laughner family as dear as my own and I hope they now: though we lost touch I never forgot their Families kindness.