James Lawton McLaughlin

James McLaughlin passed away suddenly on March 10. Born on February 14, 1951, in Hobbs, New Mexico, he was the son of Richard Lawton McLaughlin and Margarita Antoinette (Toni “Amy”) McLaughlin. The oldest of five children, Jim was preceded in death by his brother Marty in 2013. He is survived by his wife Cindy, his sister Susan, his brothers Michael and Greg (Pancho), six nephews, and his three beloved dogs, Georgie, Angus, and Buster.

Raised in Treasure Island, Florida, Jim was a lifelong prankster and rebel who lived life on his own terms. He loved racing his boat through the Intracoastal waterways, fishing, driving fast cars, and riding motorcycles. He helped establish the family business, K-Way, and later opened Bosco’s, a beach restaurant on Treasure Island, with Cindy. In 1984 he met his sweetheart, Cindy, at Harry’s Beach Bar on St. Pete Beach. They eloped in 1992 and moved to Bear Lake in 1993, where they built a home that became one of Jim’s greatest joys.

Known for his plain-spoken honesty and sharp wit, Jim embraced Cindy’s hobbies with good humor, from horseback riding to skiing, though he often preferred cooking in the parking lot at The Beav. He found deep satisfaction in camping with his dogs at Alpine, Mesquite, Lava, and The Shanty. Cooking was how he showed love, and his lemon bars, nut bars, and legendary tiramisu will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.

Jim drove trucks for E.A. Miller for twenty years before he and Cindy opened BoDean’s Bear Lake BBQ & More in Garden City. He continued catering and supporting Cindy’s work while cherishing time with her family and their close friends. He looked forward each year to their December trips to the NFR in Las Vegas and their annual February escape to Cabo San Lucas, where he loved sitting by the ocean, watching for whales. Whether traveling with Cindy, spending quiet time with his wife and dogs, or sharing a meal, Jim lived for the people and places he held dear. His big, sometimes grumpy presence and the smile behind it will be deeply missed.