Ronald Ray Laughlin, DVM
1955-2022
Ronald Ray Laughlin was born March 26, 1955 and went home to be with Jesus on February 8, 2022. He grew up in El Reno, Oklahoma where he met his high school sweetheart Nancy Royse Laughlin. They graduated from El Reno High School in 1973. He attended Oklahoma State University and always said he would never have gone to college but he was afraid to let Nancy get away. They were married after their freshman year of college in 1974, and he went on to earn the honor of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from OSU in 1980. They later settled in Edmond, Oklahoma where he opened Danforth Animal Hospital in 1986. He was a dedicated veterinarian whose gift for empathy blessed his patients, clients, and employees.
Ron had many hobbies in life–whenever he became interested in something, he learned everything he could about it. In fact, he had so many hobbies over the years that it became sort of a joke in his family. His hobbies have included photography, wood working, metal working, machining, remote-control airplanes, golf, motorcycles and cycling. He even gained his heat and air license simply because he needed to work on his units at his clinic. He also attended every home game of the Oklahoma City Thunder with Nancy. The hobby that brought him the greatest joy, however, was being a private pilot and spending time at his hangar with his airplane buddies. He and Nancy loved to travel and visited many countries reaching nearly every continent in their travels. Their favorite trips were to Israel, where they walked in the step of Jesus, and Africa, where they were stalked by a leopard. When not traveling, he was a dedicated Papa attending every game, performance or activity for his five grandchildren. He loved to share his knowledge with them, push them to follow their passions, impress upon them how deeply loved they were, and, of course, tell them famous “Papa jokes” to make their eyes roll. He was often found doing work around his house on his Tool Cat or messing around in his shop, dropping everything he was doing to help anyone in need.
Ron was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association. He also used his plane as a blessing for others through Angel Flights and Flights for Life.
He is preceded in death by his mother Wanda Duncan Davis, father Ronald Laughlin, Sr., and grandmother Juanita Gambill. He is survived by his wife Nancy Royse Laughlin, daughter Lindsay Anderson and husband Dustin, granddaughter Avery, and grandsons Isaac and Eli, and son Adam Laughlin and wife Mendy, granddaughters Renna and Reagan. Ron is also survived by his sister, Rhonda Laughlin and husband Marc Stagg and many nieces and nephews.
Ron leaves a legacy of kindness and love as he cared deeply about the people in his life, and many can attest to the deep impact he had on all who knew him. He was a selfless helper, a kind teacher, a life-long learner, and a compassionate veterinarian.
A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, February 17 at Faith Bible Church in Edmond.
If you would like to make a donation in Ron’s name, please direct gifts to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at givenow.lls.org or El Reno Blessing Baskets at www.ElRenoBlessingBaskets.org.
We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but feel they should not due to health regulations.