James “Jim” H. McLaughlin, age 73, passed away on February 8, 2026, in Elmira, Oregon. Born on April 27, 1952, in Eugene, Oregon, Jim was the son of Walter “Mac” and Marion McLaughlin.

He graduated from North Eugene High School and went on to attend UCLA for one year before transferring to the University of Oregon. He graduated from U of O with a double major in Economics and Accounting and passed the CPA exam on his first attempt.

He later returned to the U of O to earn his MBA, becoming part of the university’s first graduating OEMBA class.

A standout athlete, Jim was an exceptional runner throughout high school and college. He lettered in cross country, swimming, and track all 4 years of high school and was offered 3 full ride track scholarships. At age 16, he bettered a world age group record in the 3000‑meter steeplechase.

He began his professional career as an auditing intern with Oregon State division of Audits, followed by a year with Arthur Andersen. Jim then worked for several private CPA firms, where he was known for his deep commitment to his clients. He later joined Hewlett‑Packard, where he worked for a number of years; when he left HP, three people were hired to replace him.

Jim transitioned to teaching, first at Silverton High School for a year, and then at Monroe High School, where he taught for the remainder of his career. While there, he coached the cross-country team, which was one of his great joys.

Jim married Kris Will (McLaughlin) in 1974, and together they had a daughter, Kerry. The two later divorced.

Outside of work, Jim enjoyed golfing, sailing, and cross‑country skiing with friends. He loved movement, the outdoors, and the people he shared them with. He also loved being a dad. When asked whether he wanted a boy or a girl, he simply replied, “A sailor.” He shared his love of sailing and skiing with his daughter, and later delighted in outfitting his grandkids for their own cross‑country ski adventures.

He married his childhood friend, Suzanne (Sue) Sveen (McLaughlin), in 2006. Sue and Jim enjoyed traveling to warm climates and the Oregon Coast, adventuring in the wooden runabout boat Jim lovingly restored, and reveling in being Grandma and Grandpa together. During this time, he also served on the board of the Blachly‑Lane Electric Cooperative for 3 years.

Jim was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2018, the same year his grandchildren were born. He fought a fierce battle with cancer and chemotherapy, refusing to miss out on being “Grandpa”. He ultimately achieved a period of remission, though it left him depleted.

Above all, Jim was loyal and loving to his friends and family. No one ever had a fiercer ally. He had a crusty exterior, but again and again people share stories of his compassion in their most vulnerable moments. He felt deeply, observed carefully, served fervently, and held himself to incredibly high standards. He will be missed.

Jim is survived by his mother, Marion McLaughlin; his wife, Sue McLaughlin; his daughter, Kerry McQuillin (Joseph) and his grandsons, Leo and Rory. He is also survived by his stepsons, Tanner (Tina) and Travis Stanfill; and by his siblings, Beck McLaughlin (Herb Winsor), Tom McLaughlin (Mary), and Heidi Johnson (Grant). Additional surviving family include Tom’s sons, Brendan (Emily) and Treg (Emily), and Heidi’s daughter, Katherine Hatch (Michael). He was preceded in death by his father, Walter “Mac” McLaughlin.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Greenhill Humane Society.