Hugh Carl Laughlin

Hugh Carl Laughlin died on June 26, 2023, of complications from cirrhosis of the liver of unknown causes, he never drank or had hepatitis.  He was 86 years old. Hugh was the son of Carvel Hugh Laughlin and Carvel’s wife, Fern Ione Laughlin.  He was born and raised in Farmington, New Mexico and graduated from Farmington High School in 1955.    

Hugh’s first job was at May’s Bakery when he was 14 years old.  Afterwards he was trained by his father-in-law Lloyd Hubbard to be a meatcutter at Hubbard’s Meat and Grocery, the family business.  He worked at Hubbard’s from 1951 until 1971 in Farmington, NM.

While still in Farmington, Hugh became a Staff Sergeant in the National Guard and was awarded the Battery ‘A’ 717th Outstanding National Guardsman in 1957.  He was also a competition marksman in the National Guard and won the 1962 Hi Score Carbine Award for Battery C. On June 14, 1964, Hugh was seriously injured in a National Guard rollover jeep accident that broke his pelvis, leg, and shoulder.  Hugh had O negative blood type and miraculously one of the paramedics also had O negative and gave him blood that saved his life.  He was in traction for 12 weeks and subsequently in a spica cast and spent the next 2 years in and out of hospitals.  He was rehabilitated to walk again enabling him to enjoy an active life, even able to run marathons after his recovery. When Hubbard’s closed late in 1971, Hugh moved his family to Grand Junction, CO to work for City Market as a meatcutter and meat department manager.  

He worked for City Market from January 1972 to July 1999. Hugh was also a Union Steward for the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7R of Denver, CO and was awarded an Honorary Life Membership in October 1999. Hugh loved the outdoors.

 He was an avid bow, muzzleloader, and rifle hunter and looked forward to deer, elk, and turkey season every year.  He was also an expert trapper.   Hugh was an exceptional fly fisherman as well and enjoyed fishing in clear mountain creeks for trout with artificial flies that he tied himself.  He especially liked fly fishing Hermosa, East Lime, and Cascade Creeks.  Hugh’s wishes are to have his ashes scattered near the headwaters of Cascade Creek at the base of Engineer Mountain.

Hugh is survived by his wife, Lu Ann Laughlin, his son Darren Ray Laughlin, his daughter Cheryl Lynn Goodale, and her husband Mark, his daughter Carrie Ann Garza, and her husband Vance.  He is also survived by his brothers Carvel Eugene (Gene) Laughlin, Andrew Laughlin, and Andrew’s wife, Kaye, and his sister, Edith (Edie) Maurine Laughlin.  

He left behind a large extended family in Colorado, New Mexico, and Alaska.

Hugh’s Memorial Service will be held on August 19, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Brown’s Cremation and Funeral Service located at 904 North 7th Street Grand Junction, CO 81501.  The reception will subsequently be held from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Ale House located at 2531 North 12th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501.