David Gordon MCLaughlin, 66 of Baker, MT passed away on August 28, 2013, at the Ft. Meade Medical Center in Sturgis, SD, after a short battle with Cancer. He was born March 28, 1947 in Washington, DC. David graduated from Colonial Heights High School in Virginia, where he enjoyed playing in the band. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy. He spent from May 1964 - January 1968 aboard the USS Guam. After he got out of the Navy, he took some time off for civilian life. He worked different jobs, including working as a fire fighter for the Hopewell Fire Department in Hopewell, Virginia. After that, he re-enlisted, but in the US Army this time. He spent the next 20 years as a fire fighter, retiring to Marmarth, ND in October 1996, with an honorable discharge. David's military career took him places like Alaska, Hawaii, New York and Maryland, to name a few. While in Hawaii, he met Cynthia Ann Goodale, and they married in December, 1990. They met on the dance floor and it kept them together until the time of her death in December, 2010. From Hawaii, they went to Ft. Drum, New York. While at Ft. Drum, he was deployed to Florida for the Hurricane Andrew clean-up. They then moved to Waynesboro, PA where he went to work at the fire station at Ft. Richie, Maryland until his retirement in October 1996, which brought them to Marmarth, ND. While at Ft. Richie, MD he earned his Associate's Degree in Arts from Hagerstown Junior College in Maryland. Two years later, in October 1998, they moved to Baker, MT, where he got his certification as a CNA and went to work at Fallon Medical Complex. David retired from there after 10 years and then stayed home caring for his wife, Cynthia, until her passing. He was a member of the American Legion Post #35 since moving to MT. He held offices on the board such as, Chaplin and Sgt. at Arms. He was the commander of the Sons of American Legion (SAL) and was dedicated to the Honor Guard. David's hobbies included fishing, hunting, shooting pool, listening to music, football, NASCAR racing, and socializing with friends. David was awarded several medals and ribbons while in the military. He was a Shriner and a 32 Mason, belonged to the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, the F & A.M. of Ft. Campbell, where he also spent part of his military career, and the Oak Grove Kentucky Lodge #946. He was a Master in good Standing. His motto was God, Country and Family. He lived by it and taught his children and troops well. He was proud to serve his country. Survivors include his mother, Louise McLaughlin; four daughters, Ruth McLaughlin and Katherine (Marcus) Keene both of Reidville, NC, Virginia Auwae (Bruce Quesnell) of Baker, MT, and Carol (Sam) Simpson, of Snohomish, WA; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cynthia Goodale-McLaughlin; his father, Richard McLaughlin and two brothers. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 2:00 pm at the American legion Post #35 Club in Baker, MT with the Rev. Terry Bagley officiating. Military Honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post #35 Honor Guard. Inurnment will take place at South Lawn Cemetery in Colonial Hights, VA at a later date. A luncheon and reception will follow.