Gary McLaughlin

Gary Lee McLaughlin, 70, of Saginaw, Texas, passed away Jan. 26, 2026, in a Fort Worth , Texas, hospital.

He was born July 13, 1955, to Edward Ralph and Donna Gail (Heinbaugh) McLaughlin. Highlights of his Stevens High School years were finishing first in the 32-mile Hunger Hike from Rapid City, S.D., to Mount Rushmore two years in a row and qualifying for the state wrestling tournament in his senior year. 

Gary earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from Black Hills State College. In 1981, he started his lifelong career with Burlington Northern in Gillette, Wyo., and was transferred to Fort Worth, continuing as a dispatcher until his retirement in 2015 at age 60, after 34 years with the railroad. 

He made annual summer trips to the Black Hills and surrounding states to escape the Texas heat and spend quality time with his family and friends. He could carry on a conversation with anybody and spent many summer hours at the Hill City Library. He loved playing cards and board games.  

Summertime with Gary meant game night almost every night and “Indian Taco Tuesdays” at the westside Millstone in Rapid City. His love of all things baseball and football led to many hours at establishments that offered multiple televisions for viewing, no matter where he was visiting. He had a sweet tooth, especially for popcorn balls and Rice Krispie treats. He liked celery with peanut butter but avoided eating most other vegetables, claiming he was allergic to them.

Gary will be remembered as kind, helpful and generous to everyone around him. He was quick to give you a smile or a joke. Watching quietly from the background he was the first to offer his help, no matter the situation, even in recent years when his health was not the best. No matter who you were or where you were from, he was engaging, and unbelievably generous. The love he had for his family and friends was without exception at the forefront of his mind. He could always be counted on to show up for important events and holidays, either in person or with phone calls and text messages.

Kirk Funeral Home is handling arrangements. A memorial service is planned in Rapid City in June. A memorial has been established with Friends of the Library, PO Box 88, Hill City, SD 57745.