He was the son of Charles McLaughlin and Mary Smith. He passed away in 2022.
Bush grew up in Dalzell, a son of C. Fred McLaughlin and Mary F. Smith McLaughlin. Bush was a father, brother, uncle and loyal friend. He loved his life in the country and spending Sunday afternoons grilling and watching the races. He was at home in the outdoors, growing blueberries and helping his brother Bill on the farm. One of the last meals he prepared was striped bass with his three sons. He enjoyed cooking chicken wings, corn on the cob and brussels sprouts, which he prepared for his brother, Charles, who enjoyed many Sunday afternoon visits with Bush and his friends watching auto racing. He spent a wonderful childhood in the country helping around the family farm in Dalzell, tending to cows and horses, playing Little League Baseball and fishing at the family pond, near where he lived. He enjoyed many childhood friends, including many close cousins, aunts and uncles.
He attended Thomas Sumter Academy, Hillcrest, Camden Military Academy and Wingate College. He also attended Northwood University in Midland Michigan to learn the automobile business. Bush followed his father in the Ford business, where his early work at McLaughlin Ford was in the sales, rental and service departments. He served as body shop manager and was part owner of the business.
Bush is remembered for sharing love and friendship. He brought joy and smiles to everyone he met through his outgoing personality and sense of humor. He had a love of life and greeted his customers and friends with his great laugh. Bush lived in Dalzell near his son, Ben, an avid and expert fisherman, who enjoyed sharing his many fishing adventures and catches with his dad and brothers. Bush was proud of his sons and particularly enjoyed telling stories about the time when he took Allen tubing in the mountains, and when all the sons went on fishing adventures catching rockfish and having fish fries.
Bush never missed an opportunity to brag on Bush Lee's academic accomplishments as a graduate of the University of South Carolina.
Bush was happiest spending time with his family, friends, sharing a meal, conversation and a car race; and spending time at the family mountain house in Cullowhee, North Carolina, where he recently helped his friend, Mitch Towery, remodel the exterior.
Bush is survived by his three sons, Bush Lee McLaughlin of Sumter, Benjamin Cole McLaughlin of Dalzell and Allen Everett McLaughlin of Round O; three siblings, brother Charles F. McLaughlin Jr. of Sumter, sister Mary Ann Reames of Sumter and identical twin brother, Bill McLaughlin and wife, Sabrina, of Rembert; his former wife and friend, Donna Vivian McLaughlin of Sumter; and several nieces and nephews whom he adored.
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Featured National Park champion connections: Bush is 18 degrees from Theodore Roosevelt, 23 degrees from Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, 20 degrees from George Catlin, 16 degrees from Marjory Douglas, 26 degrees from Sueko Embrey, 20 degrees from George Grinnell, 27 degrees from Anton Kröller, 19 degrees from Stephen Mather, 22 degrees from Kara McKean, 18 degrees from John Muir, 17 degrees from Victoria Hanover and 27 degrees from Charles Young on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.
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