Calvin "Bud" Eugene McLaughlin, 73, of Hot Springs passed away Thursday, January 11, 2018 at National Park Hospital in Hot Springs. He was born December 31, 1944 to Calvin and Anna Smith McLaughlin in Black Rock. He married Rebecca Winburne on April 14, 2007 at Black Rock. He served twenty-six years in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam war where he was crew chief on C130's and retired from Jacksonville Air Force base as Master Sergeant. After retiring from the Air Force, Bud worked at John Deere for sixteen years in Damascus. He returned to his hometown of Black Rock where he served as mayor for four years. His hobbies included motorcycle riding, fishing, and building outdoor furniture. He attended United Faith Methodist Church in Hot Springs. There are many people who come into the world that make it a better place and Bud was the best of them. His capacity of love was unending.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Merry Susan McLaughlin, to whom he was married for thirty-five years; infant son, Marcus Ray McLaughlin; sisters, Calverine Hill and Marian Francis McLaughlin.

Survivors include his wife, Rebecca McLaughlin of Hot Springs; children, Robert Eugene McLaughlin and family of Saratoga, Texas, Kerry Bay and family of Dayton, Texas, Tracetta Hodges and family of Mt. Vernon, Stacey McLaughlin and family of Paragould, Calvin Eugene "Buddy" McLaughlin II of Black Rock, Charles Williams and Family of Conway, Chad Williams of North Little Rock, Glenn Watkins, Jr. and family of San Diego, California, Leslie Nutt and family of Hot Springs, and Sam Witherow and family of Little Rock; sisters, Jackie Baldridge, Caroline Hester, both of Black Rock; fifteen grandchildren, five great grandchildren, one soon to be grandson, and numerous nieces and nephews.


In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.