Ovid "O.J." Mclaughlin

Ovid John "O.J." McLaughlin, age 74, of Holland, Ohio passed away April 17, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 26, 1942 in Toledo to Raymond and Mary Jane (Marsh) McLaughlin. O.J. was All City Football and Wrestling at DeVilbiss High School from 1959-1960. He joined the City of Toledo Police Department in January of 1965. During his time on the department he worked in Communications, Patrol Unit, Traffic Section and Records Section. O.J. was the Patrolman of the month in February, 1997. He retired in September 1999 after 34 ½ years and retired with badge #1. He received commendations and letters of appreciation during his career with the Toledo Police Department. O.J. was awarded a Meritorious Service Award by the United States Federation of Police in Washington, D.C. in November 1967.

O.J. was a former member of the United States Army National Guard 37th Military Police Unit.

O.J. worked security for the Lion Store/Dillards for 28 years, most of the years at the Southwyck Store. He loved playing Santa Claus over the years at many different functions.

O.J. also worked security at the University of Toledo sporting events and concerts for more than 25 years.
O.J. authored the book "Tales from the Bat Cave" in 2004, in which he won second place in 2006 at the Public Safety Writers Convention in Las Vegas.

He was the Treasurer for DeVilbiss Tigers at the Zoo Project in 2000 in which over $ 206,000.00 was raised for the Tiger Plaza located in the Toledo Zoo.

O.J.'s memberships included the following: former 4th Degree Member of Bishop Hoffman Assembly #805 Knights of Columbus Honor Guard, Police Writers Association of America, former board member of the Toledo Police Federal Credit Union, life-member and former Director of Ohio Auto Theft Investigators Association, former member of International Association of Auto Theft Investigators, Toledo Police F.O.P. Lodge #40, original founders of the Police Benevolent Association (P.B.A.) now known as the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association (T.P.P.A.), Toledo Police retirees Association, Police and Fire Retirees of Ohio, American Legion Police Post #512, Catholic War Vets-Logsdon Walla Post #639, Maumee Elks and Knights of Columbus #8980 in Garden City, SC.

O.J.'s pastimes included spending time with his family and friends, football – Michigan, OSU, Bengals and Lions, spending time in Myrtle Beach, yearly Las Vegas trip and drinking Tennessee Fire.

O.J. is survived by his wife of 42 years, Karen McLaughlin; daughters, Julie McLaughin and Jaime (Ben) Chandler; brother, Richard McLaughlin, nephews, Paul (Beth), Jeff, Tom; niece, Jen (Scott); sweet dog, "Molly." In addition to his parents, O.J. was preceded in death by his nephew Jon Kubiak.

The family will receive guests, Friday, April 22, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home - SW Chapel, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd.(419-381-1900) where members of the Fraternal Order of Police will hold a service at 7:00 pm and a Rosary will be recited at 7:30 pm. Funeral Services will begin Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the funeral home at 12:15 p.m. followed by the Funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m. at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church, 4201 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo. Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery.

Special thanks to the caring ICU nurses at Toledo Hospital, Dr. Kelly Emch and Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or Toledo Area Humane Society in O.J.'s memory.

To leave a special message for O.J.'s family, please visit www.NewcomerToledo.com