Obituary of Judge Philip Ben McLauchlin Jr.

Judge Philip Ben McLauchlin, Jr. of Ozark, Alabama died Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at Flowers Hospital in Dothan, Alabama. He was 83. Funeral services for Judge McLauchlin will be held 11:00 A. M. Saturday, January 20, 2024, in the First United Methodist Church of Ozark with Reverend Dr. Jason Thrower and Reverend Dr. Billy D. Gaither officiating. Interment will follow at Memory Hill Cemetery in Dothan, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends in the Family Life Center of The First United Methodist Church of Ozark Friday, January 19, 2024, from 5:00 P. M. until 7:00 P. M. Judge McLauchlin was born December 19, 1940 in Dothan, Alabama to Philip Ben McLauchlin, Sr. and Clementine Brown McLauchlin. He always remarked that he was most fortunate as to when he was born, where he was born, and to whom he was born. A scholar of Latin, literature, and history, he was a true believer in the kindness and dignity of the human spirit and a true friend to all mankind. From a young age, Judge McLauchlin and his father traveled together pursuing shared passions and sports hobbies like baseball spring trainings in Florida, golf tournaments, and University of Alabama sporting events. Judge McLauchlin graduated from Dothan High School in 1959. He attended the University of Alabama and graduated from the School of Commerce and Business Administration with a degree in accounting. He attended the Farrah School of Law at the University of Alabama and graduated in 1966 with a Doctor of Jurisprudence. While at the University of Alabama, Judge McLauchlin was a member of Alpha Tau Omega social fraternity, Phi Eta Sigma Scholastic Honorary, Delta Sigma Pi, Beta Gamma Sigma accounting fraternity, and the Druids. He was sports editor for The Corolla yearbook 1960-61, member of Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity, and a member of the Alabama Law Review. He was a lifelong member of the Farrah Law Alumni Association and the University of Alabama Commerce Executive Society. Judge McLauchlin was honorably discharged from the United States Army Reserve in 1972. After practicing law in Ozark, Alabama, he was appointed Circuit Judge for the 33rd Judicial Circuit/Dale and Geneva counties. He served in this capacity until 2012. In 2012 he retired and continued to serve as Active Retired Judge until 2022. In service to his profession, he was a lifelong member of the Alabama Bar Association, President of the Circuit Judges Association, member and past Chairman of the Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission (JIC) 1999-2015, and served on the Alabama Sentencing Commission 2002-2019. In 2012, Judge McLauchlin was awarded the Alabama Bar Association’s Judicial Award of Merit. Judge McLauchlin was devoted to a host of community and civic interests including The Boys and Girls Club of Ozark, Flowers Center for the Performing Arts, and Friends of Ozark Organization. He was a Rotarian for over 50 years. He enjoyed serving his church, First United Methodist Church of Ozark, in various ways, especially the Seekers Sunday School Class. He was also a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and the Association of the United States Army. His life reflected what he loved most: his country, his community, his church, his family, and his beloved wife, Bobbie. These steadfast loves filled him with great contentment and joy. Judge McLauchlin was preceded in death by his parents, Philip and Clementine McLauchlin and his stepmother, Margot Taylor McLauchlin. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Barbara Raymond McLauchlin of Ozark, and his four children, Barbara McLauchlin Neal (Rockey) of Maumelle, Arkansas; Sandra Lynne McLauchlin of Madison, Alabama; Clementine McLauchlin Johnson (Matthew) of Madison, Alabama; and Philip Ben McLauchlin III (Adam) of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Brittany Neal Baratta (Brandon); Philip Eugene Neal (Lindsey); Caitlyn Grace Johnson; Nathan Matthew Johnson; Zachary Benjamin Johnson; and Amelia Louise McLauchlin; and by two great-grandchildren, Adriana Leigh Baratta and Miller Jean Neal. He is also survived by his sisters, Patt Woolverton (Bob) and Kaaren Hopping (Jack); and a brother, Michaell Taylor (Polly); and by numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to honor with sincere appreciation the caregivers who have been so loving and helpful, Angela Maultsby and Thelma Touachi, and the community of medical professionals at DaVita Dialysis in Ozark. They are also expressly grateful for the friends in local and greater communities who have touched Judge McLauchlin’s life and the lives of his family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Ozark, 167 East Broad Street, Ozark, Alabama 36360; or The Boys and Girls Club of Ozark 195 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, Ozark, Alabama 36360.