Jack Manning Mclaughlin Sr.

Judge Jack Manning McLaughlin, Sr. of Atlanta, Georgia passed away peacefully at his home Friday, April 8, 2022 comforted by the love and presence of his family. Jack was a lifelong resident of Atlanta, Georgia, son of the late Eugene Chapman McLaughlin and Dell G. McLaughlin.

Jack was predeceased by his son, Timothy John McLaughlin; parents, Eugene Chapman McLaughlin and Dell G. McLaughlin; his brother, Eugene C. McLaughlin, Jr.; his nephew, Joshua S. Cannon. He is survived by his wife, Lynn E. McLaughlin of Atlanta; his children, Kristina M. Zurlino of Peachtree Corners, Deborah M. Banks and her partner (Steven K. Marks) of Atlanta, and Jack M. McLaughlin, Jr. of Rome; his grandsons, James R. Kinzer of Dallas, Samuel R. Zurlino of Santa Monica, CA and Jesse R. Zurlino of Canton; his nieces, Pamela M. Stowers (Wayne) of Marietta, Jan M. Mallory of Yucaipa, CA, Brittany R. Steinke (Aaron) of Denver, CO; his nephews, Luke Cannon (Jessica) of Macon, Keaton H. Russell (Kelly) of Dunwoody; his great-nephews, Knox H. Russell of Dunwoody and Reese R. Russell of Dunwoody.

Jack attended Georgia Military Academy (now known as Woodward Academy) participating in the Junior ROTC Unit, graduating with the rank of Second Lieutenant. He did his undergraduate studies at Emory and Georgia State University, graduating from Georgia State with a B.B.A. degree in Finance and Economics.

Soon after graduation, he became a Commissioned Ensign through the United States Navy Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island. Jack then returned home and married Jacqueline Parris. Jack served three years (1957-1960) active duty on the staff of the Commander, Fleet Air Wing Six in Iwakuni, Japan. He also became a father to two daughters, Debbie and Kristi, while in Iwakuni. In 1960, Jack transferred from active duty to the United States Navy Reserve at Naval Air Station Atlanta. In July, 1987, he retired from the Navy Reserve attaining the rank of Captain.

Once home, Jack worked for an electrical contractor and a packaging division in South Carolina as an office and personnel manager. He could not get the idea of going to law school out of his mind. In 1963, he went to see Dean Ben Johnson at Emory, who encouraged and helped him to get scholarships. Jack always said he owed his law degree to Dean Johnson. Jack worked part-time at a law firm and was active in the Navy Reserve while in law school. He graduated in 1965 with his Juris Doctor degree in law and was also admitted to the Georgia Bar.

Jack was an associate with the firm of Powell, Goldstein, Frazer and Murphy. He later practiced law as a sole practitioner. In 1979, he formed a partnership with Daniel M. Coursey, Jr. In 1985, he was appointed by then Governor Joe Frank Harris to fill the newly created fourth judgeship on Dekalb State Court where he served until retirement in 2002. After retiring, Jack became a Senior Judge serving in various courts for a number of years.

Jack was a lover of food, wine, nature, laughter, his family, friends, and faith. To know Jack is to have laughed at his wry humor or sayings and to have been warmed by his kindness and caring. Jack represented the good that we all need every day in our lives. He was a gentleman and a man of God. We are proud to call Jack husband, father, grandfather, uncle or cousin. There are countless lives he has touched throughout his life. He believed in respecting other people. He said his mother taught him to do this by simply considering that everyone is an individual, that everyone has their own perspective in life, and just because it’s different doesn’t mean it isn’t good.

Jack not only served his country and Dekalb County, but he was active in the community. In 1974, he served as President of the Kiwanis Club and later as Lt. Governor of the 14th Division of Georgia Kiwanis International. He was a member of the Doraville City Council. Jack served eight years on the Board of Directors for Dekalb Council on Aging. Since he had four children attending school, he got involved in the PTA and served as program chairman and president. Jack’s parents loved baseball and so did Jack and his sons. Jack agreed to serve as the president and as administrator for the boys’ baseball league. Their sisters would always like to attend the games to cheer them on. Over the years, they would all enjoy seeing a Braves Game together.

Jack was a member of the Adjunct Faculty Department of Legal Studies at Georgia State University and taught law classes there and at Emory University from 1995-2000. He enjoyed teaching young students interested in the law.

Jack and his family were active members of Northwoods United Methodist Church where he served as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees and as a Sunday school teacher. Jack is a current member of Dunwoody United Methodist Church where he has served as an usher, lay reader, Sunday school teacher and chaired a men’s group.

In 1991, Jack and Lynn met and married in 1992. They shared many interests. Both liked to read books about history and religion, enjoyed gardening, and traveling. Lynn also loved to cook and Jack loved everything she cooked. They celebrated many special occasions over a meal with their children, grandchildren and other family members and friends. Jack and Lynn enjoyed many outings with their much loved three grandsons. Both served as volunteers for the Community Assistance Center located in Sandy Springs. Since retirement, Jack and Lynn visited many of the National Parks and the western section of the United States. After several trips to Europe, they decided to focus their travels in the Americas. For the past three years, Jack and Lynn babysat their two great-nephews, Knox and Reese Russell on a weekly basis. It was the highlight of their week.

Colleagues, friends, and family members will miss Jack’s humor, wisdom, and caring. It was hard not to love him. He had so many songs, jokes, and sayings about life. He was a kind and gentle person. We will always carry Jack’s memory in our hearts.

Family visitation will be held Sunday, April 24 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home 2773 N Decatur Rd, Decatur, GA 30033. A service to celebrate Jack’s life will be held Monday, April 25 at 11:00 a.m. at Dunwoody United Methodist Church 1548 Mt. Vernon Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338 with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. before the service. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Georgia National Cemetery 1080 Scott Hudgens Dr, Canton, GA 30114. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Red Cross https://redcross.org or the Atlanta Legal Aid Society https://atlantalegalaid.org/ways-to-give/