Bush Lee McLaughlin, Sr.

Sumter, SC ….. Bush Lee McLaughlin died on April 28, 2022, at home. He was 67.  

Bush grew up in Dalzell, S.C., 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 Rock fish 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, N. C. 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, S. C.; 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, S. C., his former wife and friend, Donna Vivian McLaughlin of Sumter and several nieces and nephews whom he adored.

A service to celebrate his life will be held on Monday, May 2, 2022, at 2:00 pm in the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel, 1190 Wilson Hall Road.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 1:00-2:00 pm at Bullock Funeral Home and at other times at the home of his son, Bush Lee McLaughlin.     

A private graveside service will be held at Horeb Baptist Church in Dalzell with the Rev. Mitch Towery officiating. Employees of McLaughlin Ford will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. 

A gift in his memory can be made to a charity of one’s choice given in Bush’s memory.

You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter for the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bush Lee McLaughlin, Sr., please visit our floral store.