George E. McLaughlin, Jr.

George E. McLaughlin, Jr., 75, a resident of Gooding, passed away on Friday, December 27, 2019 at St. Luke's Medical Center in Twin Falls.  He was surrounded by family after a very short and courageous battle with cancer.

George was born on March 31, 1944 in North Little Rock, Arkansas, the oldest of seven kids born to George and Betty McLaughlin.  He was raised and educated in Gooding, Idaho.

He served in the Army from November 17, 1961 to November 9, 1964 as an auto mechanic.  George went on to pursue his love for mechanics, working for Basterrechea Distributing and later he started his own business - Gooding Transport Repair.

George married the love of his life - Linda Bay on February 12, 1965.  From this union they had two children - Gene and Lana.

George is survived by his wife of 54 years - Linda; his son - Gene (Jeanne) McLaughlin; his daughter - Lana (Ed) Gnesa; a nephew who they helped raise - CJ (Rebecca) Bay; four sisters - Donna (Jim) Fankboner of Caldwell, Ruth (Raven) Fallin of Ross, North Dakota, Joy (Tony) Stokes of Caldwell and Virginia (Andy Hoffman) McLaughlin of Gooding; eight grandchildren - Brandon (Rachel) McLaughlin, Chelsey (Charles) Schermett, Amy (Buddy) Peterson, Matt Tranholt, Joe (Jessica) Gnesa, Jenna Gnesa, Kayley and Garrett Bay; and eight great grandchildren - Wyatt, Ava, Kellen, Zoe, Aubrey, Meritt, Elyse and Baylor.

George was preceded in death by: his parents - George and Betty McLaughlin; his sister - Carol Toles; his brother - Ike McLaughlin and his grandson - Ricky McLaughlin.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 3, 2020 at 11:00 am at the Christian Life Fellowship - Assembly of God Church at 204 Montana Street in Gooding. Burial will follow at the Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding.

A viewing will be held at Demaray Funeral Service - Gooding Chapel on Thursday, January 2, 2020 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.

Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service - Gooding Chapel.

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