Melvin Eugene McLaughlin

Born: July 14th, 1935

Died: August 2nd, 2016

Obituary

Melvin McLaughlin, 81, of Wasco was tragically killed in a vehicle collision on August 2nd, 2016.

Melvin was born to Edward and Inez McLaughlin, July 14th, 1935. Melvin and Bonnie McLaughlin married in 1955 and Melvin was widowed in 1999. Melvin remarried and is survived by Edmona McLaughlin, 2014.

Melvin's charismatic, curious, and sharp personality impacted those around him and served him well throughout a lifetime of private and public life. From humble beginnings, working in the fields picking cotton as a child, Melvin is remembered as having a strong sense of duty and work ethic. Throughout his life, Melvin contributed a combined 120+ years of public and community service including being part of the Kern County LAFCo (30 years), Mayor of Wasco, Fire Chief of Wasco and Captain for the Kern County Fire Dept. Melvin deeply loved and cared for four generations of family here in Kern County and afar. Aside from his family, his proudest accomplishment was the joint commissioning of two Veteran Memorial Walls in Wasco and Shafter.

Melvin was proceeded in death by his father, Edward McLaughlin; sisters, Janet Walker and Leona Thompson; and his brother, Sidney McLaughlin. He is survived by his wife, Edmona; his brothers, Lawrence and Robert McLaughlin; as well as children, Jacqueline Groswird and her family, and Ricky McLaughlin and his family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10am on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at Westside Family Fellowship in Wasco. In lieu of flowers please consider: Church of the Brethren, 316 A Street, Bakersfield, CA 93304. Online guestbook is available at www.GoldenValleyMemorialCare.com