James Craig McGlaughlin, 55

James Craig McLaughlin, 55, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Sedalia and Boonville, died Sunday, August 31, 2014 at his home.

A celebration of life will be held, Saturday, September 6, 2014 from 1:00 – 3:00 P.M. at McLaughlin Funeral Chapel in Sedalia. Memorials are suggested to the Bothwell Chapel at Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia.

Born October 8, 1958 in Sedalia, he was the son of Bill G. McLaughlin and Patricia Christy McLaughlin. On November 5, 2011 in Bernie, Missouri he married Karen Bristow and she survives of the home.

Also surviving is a son, Jeff McLaughlin of Columbia, Missouri; his mother, Patricia Christy McLaughlin of Harrisonville; three sisters, Dawn Weaver and her husband, Robert of St. Joseph, Missouri, Jill Grunewald and her husband, Mark of Minneapolis, MN. And April McLaughlin of Harrisonville; a step-son, Jeremy Lacewell and his wife, Melissa of Gideon, Missouri; a step-daughter, Kari Powell and her husband, Greg of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; three grandchildren, Elizabeth Lacewell, Hayden Lacewell and Zoey Powell; his step-mother, Connie McLaughlin of Sedalia; two nieces, Grace McLaughlin of Harrisonville, Missouri and Harriet Grunewald of Minneapolis, MN.; and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Bill G. McLaughlin and his grandparents, James Olen and Mable Pate McLaughlin and Harv and Sybil Christy.

Mr. McLaughlin graduated from Smith Cotton High School in Sedalia in 1977. He graduated from State Fair Community College in Sedalia in 1980. As a youth he was a member and was baptized at First Baptist Church in Sedalia. He moved to Boonville, Missouri in 1980 where he was employed at Rupp Automotive and Rick Ball Automotive. He later moved to Cape Girardeau where he worked at VanMatre Buick, GMC and Cadillac until ill health forced his retirement earlier this year. He enjoyed deer hunting with his father. He was an avid golfer, loved the St. Louis Cardinals, KC Chiefs and playing fantasy football with his son and team mates. He coached little league and Babe Ruth baseball teams with his son.

Craig and his friend Gary Sharp were photographed and interviewed on the front cover of USA Today in October 1985 featuring the I-70 World Series. USA Today came to Boonville (center between both cities) looking for friends that were on opposing teams. Craig and Gary were the two suggested from people asked in town so USA Today went looking for them.

Arrangements are under the direction of McLaughlin Funeral Chapel, Sedalia, Missouri.