The following is courtosy of Pixley Funeral Home John Desmond Chapel:
Daniel Lindsay McLaughlin of Waterford, Michigan passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at the age of 65.
He is survived by his son, Dustin McLaughlin and his wife, Lauren; brother Dale (Darlene), sister-in-law Diane McLaughlin, Dwight (Judi), David (Kim) and sister Donetta and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces, great-nephews, and family in Indonesia (Faradilla Harahap). He is preceded in death by his parents Donald and Loretta Mclaughlin, sister Darlene and brother Duane.
Dan was born August16, 1958 in Pontiac, Michigan, and grew up in Auburn Heights, Michigan. He was number five out of seven kids for Don and Loretta. Although there were many of us, we always felt special because of the abundant love that our parents gave us. As a young boy, Dan spent a lot of time with his oldest brother Dale. Dale reminisced that Dan was just a special little boy, so sweet, loved to go for rides with Dale in his truck and play in the yard, just a ‘sweet little guy”. As Dan grew up, he became so ‘cool’, always handsome, stylish, and a natural born athlete. His younger siblings, Dave and Donetta looked up to him and hoped to be cool like Dan someday. Dan was so cool; he even owned a 1964 candy apple red Corvette in his senior year of high school. When he took us for a ride, we were briefly a part of the ‘cool kid’ group.
Dan went to Avondale school district where he excelled in all sports, basketball, baseball and especially football as an outstanding running back, creating and breaking many rushing records and earning recognition as All Metro, All-division, and All-state. Dan was fortunate to have lifelong friends from Avondale; Chris Buck, Jeff Polasek (preceded in death), the Leitch brothers, and so many more. When Dan was young, these friends were at his house so much they were extensions of the McLaughlin family.
After high school Dan went to work for General Motors and ultimately retired from GM after 30 years. On January 25, 1985, Dan’s pride and joy, Dustin, was born. Dustin and Dan’s relationship was indelible. As a young boy, Dan coached Dustin’s sporting events, baseball, hockey, and helped build skateboard ramps when Dustin was into boarding. When Dustin started playing guitar and founded the band, the Summer Pledge, Dan was at as many shows as he could possibly attend. Into adulthood, Dan and Dustin were buds; they spent time going to concerts, Tigers, and Red Wings games- truly quality not quantity time was spent together. Any time Dan spoke of Dustin, he had a glint in his eye. When Dustin met Lauren Campbell several years ago and subsequently married last September, Dan finally had the daughter that he always wanted. He knew Dustin was with the love of his life, and that gave him great comfort to know his son was so happy.
After Dan had retired from GM for a few years, he went back to work. He realized he was just too social to be retired. Working gave him purpose and an outlet for his humor and social side. Dan inherited his dad’s ‘gift of gab’ and there was no such thing as a stranger. When Dan was not working, he was hanging out with Chris Buck, watching Sunday football with his brother Dwight, and of course, posting music and political commentary on Facebook. One of the things that Dan really appreciated was how close he and his siblings Dwight, Dave and Donetta were. They had a group text that one of the four would post on at least once a week. At family gatherings there was a great deal of storytelling and over-the-top laughter. No one can make you laugh more than family.
Dan will be so greatly missed by so many. What Dan would have wanted most is to remember him for being such a giving, loyal, loving, kind person and to keep that memory alive for all that knew him.
A visitation for Dan will be held Friday, March 1, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Pixley Funeral Home, 3530 Auburn Rd., Auburn Hills, Michigan 48307. A memorial gathering will occur Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at the same location with celebration of life to follow at 1:00 PM.