Mr. Alan Laughlin departed this life on July 17, 2022. He served the James Island community for many years in many ways, most recently as a Commissioner of the James Island Public Service District (JIPSD). He was elected in 2018 and served as Commission Chair in 2019. Most recently, Mr. Laughlin chaired the JIPSD Fire & Emergency Preparedness Committee and served on the Administrative Committee. He was a volunteer for CERT, the Community Emergency Response Team, leading the James Island/Folly Beach Team and serving as the Deputy Director of Lowcountry CERT. He helped organize CERT’s annual Hurricane Expo and was passionate about getting weather preparedness information to the residents of the sea islands. He volunteered to collect litter on Fort Johnson Road with the JIPSD Adopt-A-Highway Program. Mr. Laughlin, and his mother Eda, were long time supporters of the Town of James Island, being involved in all four incorporations. It can now be revealed that he was a frequent stand-in for Santa Clause at the Town’s annual Christmas tree lighting. He had served as Chairman of the Town of James Island Neighborhood Council for many years, helping to organize our annual National Night Out. Mr. Laughlin was raised on James Island, attending Riverland Terrace Elementary School and James Island High School. After high school, he served in the US Navy during the Vietnam era. He later attended Trident Technical College, Clemson University and received a Masters from Mercer University. He worked as a safety officer and associate administrator at hospitals. After retiring, he returned to James Island to help care for his mother. He was a member of Martin Luther Lutheran Church on James Island. Commissioner Laughlin will be dearly missed by the JIPSD Commission and staff.
