Jimmie Lee Laughlin

Jimmie Lee “Jim” Laughlin, 88, died Sept. 15 at the Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer. His quality of life had changed, due to Parkinson’s disease and diabetes.

He was born on May 7, 1927, to Cecil and Arda Laughlin of Hutchinson, Kansas. When Jim was 3 years old, his father died, and Arda moved to San Diego, Califorina. There, she met and married Jack Child, and they had two children, Jack Jr. and Dallas.

Jim came to Alaska in 1945, while serving with the Air Force. He spent time in Shemya and Anchorage. After his service in the Air Force, he lived in Montana, Anchorage, Fairbanks and the Mat-Su Valley. He worked for the Federal Aviation Association and the Bureau of Land Management, and later opened the Susitna Photo Studio in Wasilla. One of his passions in life was piloting his small plane in the Alaskan Bush while photographing the wildlife and scenery.

Jim was preceded in death by his dear friend and partner, Jennie Wasey. Jennie’s daughter, Phyllis Edwards, said that her children, Aaron and Paige Hartwell, regarded Jim as a grandfather, showing loving kindness to all in the family.

He is survived by his brother, Jack Child, and Jack’s daughter, Celeste; his sister, Dallas Lauzier and her daughter Jamie DeLeo. Jim is remembered fondly by Jack’s wife, Maren, and Dallas’s husband, Steve. He is also survived by his partner for the last 15 years, Frances Vadla, and all of her family.

His friends and family knew Jim as a kind, happy, creative individual, full of mischief and clever ideas. We’ll think of Jim’s wit, quips and silly, unexpected humor. We will miss him!

A remembrance, with the spreading of the ashes in Finger Lake and Liten Lake, will be scheduled in the spring, when Jim’s siblings from California and Australia hope to join us.

Those wishing to honor and remember Jim are welcome to donate in his name to the Salvation Army of Palmer and the Alzheimer’s Agency of Alaska.