Steve McLaughlin

Steve McLaughlin was born May 1, 1952 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to Chester and Edith McLaughlin. He departed this earthly life at the age of 72 years on July 26, 2024. Steve attended Shawnee Public Schools, graduated from Bethel High School, and attended Seminole State College. He started his law enforcement career for the City of Shawnee in January 1972 in Records and Dispatch. He served as a Patrolman, Sergeant, Detective, and Lieutenant and retired as Deputy Police Chief, after 24 years of service in December 1996. After retiring from the Shawnee Police Department, he was the Owner/Operator of Mac’s Transportation for 7 years. He later drove a mobile MRI unit that serviced Oklahoma hospitals, but retired completely to take care of his newborn grandsons.

Steve married the love of his life, Melanie Taylor, on June 14, 1975 and was blessed with one daughter, Brandi Nicole. Steve’s greatest joy was being with his two grandsons, Ethan and Zachary, attending all school and sporting events and operating Papa’s “uber” service, taking them anywhere they needed to go on a daily basis, which included daily Sonic stops. He loved taking them to the range, teaching them to shoot and discussing politics.

Steve was an avid Fox News fan and shared his conservative views with everyone. He loved fishing, going to Branson, and going to coffee with his buddies, always solving the problems of the world.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Edith McLaughlin and brother, David McLaughlin. Steve is survived by his wife, Melanie of 49 years, daughter, Brandi Nowakowski, grandsons, Ethan James and Zachary Andrew Nowakowski, and nephew, Scott McLaughlin, all of Shawnee.

Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, August 2, 2024 at Walker Funeral Service. A funeral ceremony will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at the Walker Funeral Chapel with Chaplain Larry Sparks officiating. Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Tecumseh.

Casketbearers will be: Brian Taylor, Charles Taylor, Don Taliaferro, Joe Sanchez, Sonney Thornburg, Joe LaHue, Greg Simpson, and Terry Campbell.

A special thanks to the doctors and ICU staff at St. Anthony Shawnee and St. Anthony OKC for the excellent and compassionate care given to Steve and the entire family. Also, a special thanks for Central Health Services for always taking care of all our needs for the last 10 years, we were never just a customer.