MCLAUGHLIN, Jack

August 3, 1938 — November 15, 2016

Pastor Jack McLaughlin passed away at the age of 78 on November 15, 2016, surrounded by his family and close friends. Survived by his loving wife of 20 years Heidi and their 5 children: Janice (Ken), Jen (Mark), David (Joanne), Michelle (Tim) Donovan (Amy); grandchildren: Brendon, Alex, Breanna, Ryan, Cavan, Matt, Tryst, Airalia, Anthony, Austin, Mya and Cailix; his brother Bill (Karen) McLaughlin; sister Margaret (Keith) Sprackett.  Predeceased by his first wife Donna Joy McLaughlin in 1995.

Funeral service will be held on Sunday, November 20, 2016 at 3:00 pm at Trinity Baptist Church, 1905 Springfield Road, Kelowna. No flowers by request, instead honor Jack’s memory by donating to Next Gen Building Fund c/o Trinity Church.

Jack was born in Sudbury, Ontario, the oldest of three children. He grew up in a family that was community minded and infused with a sense of service to God.

Feeling God’s call, Jack enrolled in Eastern Pentecostal Bible College where he met Donna Joy Piper. They were married in Oshawa, Ontario in June 1963. His first church was in Deep River, Ontario, and later he attended Gordon Conwell Seminary where he received his Master of Divinity. Subsequently he served as follows:

City View/Woodvale, Ottawa, 1969-77.

London Gospel Temple, London Ontario, 1977-82.

Evangel Tabernacle, Kelowna, 1982-85.

Investors Group, Kelowna, 1985-2002.

Trinity Baptist, Kelowna, 2002-16.

After years of raising their three children—Janice, Jennifer and David—and being fully immersed in pastoral ministry, Jack’s wife Donna died of cancer in March of 1995. In his grief Jack found a friend in Heidi Conley, who was already mourning the passing of her husband, Richard. What began as mutual consolation eventually blossomed into a profound love and unwavering partnership. Jack and Heidi were married in Kelowna in June, 1996, surrounded by their new blended family.

To know Jack was to know love. He deeply loved Heidi, his children and grandchildren, his church and the wider community. Jack believed that God put him on this earth to love. He had an enthusiastic curiosity in people, sports and current affairs, but underlining all his interests was his wholehearted passion for serving God.

He also enjoyed sports, particularly college football. He reveled in the pageantry of it all, the songs, chants, traditions and grand old stadiums. A special honour for Jack was serving as Chaplain for the Ottawa Roughriders in the 70s, where he even traveled with the team and attended the 1976 Grey Cup. Bringing together his ministry and favorite sport was for Jack a little taste of heaven.

In his later years, Jack enjoyed playing golf with Heidi, spending time with family and following his grandchildren’s activities and pursuits. Daily, Jack and Heidi prayed for their family, and took great joy in simply being together.

Jack will be remembered for his deep love for God, his servant heart, and his unlimited capacity for kindness.

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