James McLaughlin

James R. McLaughlin, 86, Fargo, North Dakota passed away on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, in Sanford Health Palliative Care Center.

James R. McLaughlin was born June 28, 1925.  He grew up and attended school in Bismarck, ND.  On August 8, 1946 he married Dorothy L. (Eisenmann) McLaughlin, the love of his life.  During his college career and after graduation, he worked for Ulteig Engineers in Bismarck.  Following graduation from UND in 1948 with a BS Degree in Civil Engineering, they lived in Bismarck until 1953 when they moved to Fargo, North Dakota.  He worked for 40 years at Ulteig Engineers, Inc. until retirement in 1987.  He served as the president of Ulteig Engineers, Inc. from 1975 to 1987.  He has been recognized with the UND Alumni Association’s Sioux Award and Greater North Dakota Association’s Community Leadership and Natural Resources Awards.  He received the Silver Antelope, Silver Beaver and Baden Powell awards from the Boy Scouts of America, also earning the Melvin Jones Award from the Lions for community service.

Jim’s contributions to our region are many, especially in regards to his flood relief efforts, his knowledge and skill of engineering, and his passion for baseball.

McLaughlin is a past chair of the Board of the former Fargo Chamber of Commerce, where he also served on many committees.  He is a past president of the Boy Scouts of America-Northern Lights Council, where he also served on the Advisory Board.  McLaughlin chaired the Fargo Moorhead Council of Governments Water Resource Committee and the United Way of Cass-Clay Fund.  He served on the steering committee for the FARGODOME and had been on its building committee since its inception.

Over the years, McLaughlin served as chairman of the Southeast Cass Water Resource District, the Cass County Joint Board and the Red River Joint Board, which includes all boards from South Dakota to Canada.  He also participated in the Sheyenne Diversion Project from 1990 to 1992.  Bruce Furness, Fargo Mayor from 1994 to 2006, said McLaughlin’s analysis of the need for additional water supply in Eastern North Dakota was extremely helpful to Fargo leaders.  “Jim was able to consolidate information and make recommendations on what would be needed in Fargo,” said Furness.  “His years of experience and involvement were invaluable to the City in determining future water requirements.”

McLaughlin served on the Fargo American Legion Baseball Committee for 40 years and was vice chair for the 1983, 1992 and 1995 American Legion World Series.  In 1976, he was awarded “Fan of the Year” and in 2007 he was inducted into the Fargo American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame.  He also developed and was curator of the Roger Maris Museum for over 20 years and was a driving force in working with the Park Board to develop the Roger Maris Gardens at Jack Williams Stadium and also the monument and Roger Maris Drive at Lindenwood Park.  A tournament was named in his honor and Fargo Post #2 will host the 15^th Annual Jim McLaughlin Junior American Legion Baseball Tournament this June.

Jim and Dorothy’s love of baseball led them to travel and they enjoyed baseball games in all but 2 Major League Ballparks.  He was a Twins fan until the end.

He is survived by 5 sons, Tim (Jody), Lake Stevens, WA, John (Cheri), Grand Junction, CO, David, Fridley, MN, Jerry, Coon Rapids, MN, Robert, Fargo, ND; 3 daughters, Mary Henley, Fargo, ND, Jane (Michael) Whitt, Martha (Earl) O’Neal, both Rifle, CO; 13 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy and his only brother, Hugh D. McLaughlin.

Memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley, American Legion, Boy Scouts, the American Heart Association, or Sunday TV mass.

A full obituary will be posted at a later date.