John J. McLaughlin

Dr. John J. "Jack" McLaughlinClemson, SCDr. John J. "Jack" McLaughlin, 89, husband of Dr. Joan Bobbitt McLaughlin, died Saturday, November 21, 2015 at home.Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of Harry McLaughlin Sr. and Margaret McLaughlin. He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Harry McLaughlin Jr.; and son-in-law, Brian D. Merriman.Jack was a veteran of World War II where he was part of the Liberation Army of the Philippines. He was also among the first forces in Japan at the close of the war, and received a Bronze Star and several commendations for his service. The GI Bill provided him with the opportunity to attend college, the first person in his family to do so. A graduate of Temple University with a BA in Journalism, he worked in that field for many years. He received his Ph.D. in English from UCLA, and was Professor Emeritus of English and Humanities at Clemson University where he taught from 1968 until his retirement in 1991. He received a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to develop an interdisciplinary program of humanities courses at Clemson, and was also the recipient of the Faculty Research Award, among other honors.An accomplished writer, Jack was the author of a number of books. His biography of Thomas Jefferson and the building of Monticello was a History Book Club and Book of the Month Club selection and a nominee for the Pulitzer Prize. It was also a finalist for the National Book Award in 1988, is still in print, and has been used to train the guides at Monticello. In retirement he continued to publish both non-fiction and fiction.Jack was also a man of many interests and great energy and intellectual curiosity. He was an owner-builder, gardener, and cook, specializing in bread-making. He developed an interest in growing roses and at one point had 120 varieties in his backyard garden.In addition to his wife of 38 years, he is survived by a son, Kevin (Maria) McLaughlin of Austin TX, daughter, Susanna Thomas Merriman of Anderson SC, and grandchildren Sonia and Eric McLaughlin of Austin TX, Erica L. Britenburg, Jordan T. Britenburg, Morgan T. Merriman and Alexis T. Merriman, all of Anderson SC.Family and friends will gather at 2 PM on Friday, January 15, 2016, in Kresge Hall at the Clemson University Outdoor Laboratory to honor Jack's memory.Memorials may be sent to any of the following: Meals on Wheels, 500 North Fant Street, Anderson, SC 29624; South Carolina Botanical Gardens, 150 Discovery Ln, Clemson, SC 29631; or to Habitat for Humanity-Pickens County, P.O. Box 330, Pickens, SC 29671.Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central, SC.