John Walter Mcloughlin

John W. McLoughlin
Feb 23, 1935 - Jan 23, 2020

John was born in Orange, New Jersey to Walter and Lauretta McLoughlin. He attended St. Thomas Parochial Grade School and graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1953. While continuing his education John had many jobs, one of which was stoking the coal burner at 2 a.m. for the school’s greenhouses. In 1957 he graduated from Rutgers University with a Horticulture degree. He often referred to the good times he shared with his fraternity brothers. He served as president of Beta Theta Pi one year as well as enjoying intramural team sports.

After graduation, John enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard as a Lt. Junior Grade (Lt JG). After spending a year at sea, he was transferred to Astoria, Oregon. He served in the reserves until 1963 when he was honorably discharged.

In 1960, John joined the Jackson County Extension Service as the urban horticulturist and insect agent. This involved helping farmers and homeowners with plant related problems. After fellow agent Cliff Cordy retired, John became interim chair of the Jackson County Extension office. He was instrumental with the planning of the Claire Hanley Arboretum on Hanley Road. Many of the trees are still there today, 60 years later!

In June of 1963, John met his wife Sylvia Baker of Medford. On December 28, 2019 they celebrated 56 wonderful years. Together they made a tiny, “well ventilated” log cabin on the river into a wonderful home where they would raise four children. His love of the outdoors and family pets created many wonderful memories for children and grandchildren. Time spent gardening, picking peaches, cherries, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries along with fishing, 4H activities, and kids’ sports took up much of his family time. Family camping trips to Harris Beach and Loeb State Park in Brookings were always a favorite.

Shortly after marriage, John became chairman of the Jackson and Josephine County extension offices.

In 1967, John received a Master’s Degree from OSU in field crops where he was promoted to assistant professor.

In 1971, John joined the Oregon Department of Agriculture. He covered the 7 southern counties until his retirement in 1998. He made many friends with the farmers, nurserymen and businesses on his travels. He was active with the Young Farmers, Shan Creek Grange, and the Republican Party (even helping out the Republican women when they were short-handed in their fair booth). John attended several area churches and after retirement, he helped Sylvia in Child Evangelism Fellowship for 18 years.

One of the highlights in retirement was helping out at The Garden Shoppe Nursery next to Sherm’s Thunderbird. He loved the customers, working at the nursery, and helping his oldest son Shawn. John found contentment when he was planting, growing, weeding, transplanting and taking cuttings.

John was a man of integrity and principles. He loved God, family, and country. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Sylvia, his sister Nancy Norman of Georgia, brother Matt McLoughlin of Connecticut; four children Shawn McLoughlin of Medford, Kevin McLoughlin (Melissa) of Medford, Lorelei Dean (Jason) of Grants Pass, and John S. McLoughlin (Cristina Alcoz) of New Delhi, India; grandchildren Shawn B. McLoughlin, Connor McLoughlin, Darby McLoughlin, Logan (Grace) Dean, Benjamin Dean, Lacey Dean, Nyah McLoughlin, Julen McLoughlin, and Kiley McLoughlin and great grandson Rhett Dean.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship, PO Box 755, Grants Pass, Oregon, 97528.

A Celebration of Life will be held on December 12, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. at Shan Creek Community Church, 6101 Riverbanks Road, Grants Pass, Oregon.