Dan Laughter

A life filled with wit and humor and a passion for Abilene history ended with the passing of Dan Turner Laughter III. The grandson of two prominent early Abilenians, Dan T. Laughter founder of Laughter Funeral Home and Arthur Sears noted rancher, Dan was renowned for his knowledge of early Abilene. Memorial Services, directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, will be Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Abilene. Officiating will be his cousin, Father Tommy Bye, rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Ft. Worth assisted by longtime friend Jerry Johnson. Born to Jewell Sears and Dan T. Laughter II, Dan arrived two weeks after his father had died. His grandparents, aunts and family friends, joined Jewel in helping to care for Dan and his sister Judy. When Dan was four years old, Paul Hodge became his step-father and was a strong influence in his life. Dan resided at 1174 Amarillo, the Laughter family home built by his grandparents about 1914. He and Sue had lovingly restored the home to its former beauty, being careful to preserve the integrity and history of the original home. Dan attended Abilene schools and completed his education at the Judson School in Scottsdale, Arizona. He worked several year at Caleb Reed's Men's Store; was active in the used car business, owned and managed a resort on Lake LBJ and was involved in land sales in the Texas Hill Country. His years away from Abilene were brief and he was anxious to return to his roots. He was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest. Dan's knowledge of history was spurred by his deep love for his grandparents and his involvement with the friends of those grandparents. His friends recall how Dan's stories of these people always involved not only where they lived, but what kind of car they drove, down to the details of color and hubcaps styles. That part of history was due to Dan's keen interest in mid century cars. Dan Laughter never met a stranger, and everyone he met was entertained by his stories, sometimes hysterical tales, always punctuated with bits of profanity, both appropriate and inappropriate. But coming from Dan, these colorful descriptive terms were overlooked. His ability to butcher the English language will forever remain in the memories of his family and friends. A little known side of Dan was his musical ability. He was self taught on the classical guitar, and enchanted his family and friends with haunting Spanish love songs as well as flamenco and rousing tunes like "Under the Double Eagle". His other passions included American cars, Cushman Scooters, Harley Davidson motorcycles, a good cold beer and first and foremost his family. Dan was predeceased by his parents and his stepfather, Paul Hodge. He is survived by his wife Sue, his children Shelby Luke of Comfort, Texas and her children Savannah and Sophie; and D. Turner Laughter IV, of Boerne and his wife Darla; sister Judy Nalda-Laughter of Ft. Stanton, New Mexico and her children Julie and Pete; his brothers Arthur Paul Hodge who lives on his sailboat "The Jewel"; Hunt Hodge and wife Erma and their daughter Kristal of The Woodlands; Step children Kevin Eaton and his wife Sheila of Weatherford and their children Katie, Korbin, Kennedy, Kamryn, Blake Steele and Natalie Steele all of Weatherford and Stacie Eaton of Abilene. Other survivors include his aunts Margaret Brown and her husband Raleigh, and Margie Wells, both of Abilene; Frances Sears of Sweetwater and Vivian Streeter of Weatherford; nieces and nephews and a host of cousins and friends. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Dan's memory to the Salvation Army, Rescue the Animals or the donor's charity of choice. The family also gives special thanks to Dr. Melnyk and his staff for their loving care of Dan during his 18 month battle with lung cancer.