Victor Alan Laughlin

Victor Alan Laughlin passed away on June 22, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics following injuries sustained in an accident. While his passing leaves an ache in the hearts of those who loved him, his story is far too big to be defined by a single day.

Vic was born on January 27, 1942, in Waterloo, Iowa, the second oldest child of Loren and Cera Laughlin. He grew up with a competitive spirit, a sense of adventure, and a determination that would define the rest of his life.

On February 25, 1961, he married the love of his life Carolee Kaye Miller. Together, they spent 65 years married and 67 years side by side building a life, a family, and a legacy that became the center of his world. Long before anyone spoke of soulmates, they were proving what it looked like. Whether dancing across a floor or simply standing together in a kitchen, they were each other’s home.

Together they raised five children: Vicki Laughlin (Jerome Keller), Cynthia Laughlin (Darrell), Scott Laughlin (Tammy), Troy Laughlin (Tammy), and Jennifer Stevenson (Troy).

From there, Vic built what can only be described as his own army-13 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren whom he loved as his own, 16 great-grandchildren, 4 Step Great Grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. (All names listed below)

His greatest pride was never found in trophies, titles, or accomplishments. It was found in watching the people he loved find their own way through life.

He graduated from Waterloo East High School and later attended the University of South Carolina-always proudly cheering, “Go Gamecocks!”

His list of accomplishments could fill pages. Vic was a Vietnam Navy veteran who also served in special operations during a time when his country called. He competed at an elite athletic level, including Olympic Trials competition in platform diving. Sports were woven throughout his life as an athlete, coach, mentor, and competitor. His trophy room reflected countless victories, but those who knew him best understood that his greatest victories were never measured by medals.

He was a teacher, coach, probation officer, business owner, mentor, protector, and friend. As the owner of Guardian Security and Detective Agency, he built more than a company-he built a family. Employees became family. Players became family. Friends became family.

Whether it was the athletes he coached, the young people who needed a safe place to land, the grandchildren who needed a father figure, or the countless people who simply needed someone to believe in them, Vic never seemed to run out of room in his heart.

He lived life at 100 percent.

If he was playing sports, he was all in. If he was coaching, he was all in. If he was working on hot rods, building furniture in his woodshop, playing guitar, singing songs, or spending time with family, he was all in.

There was no halfway with Vic Laughlin.

He leaves behind a lifetime of stories-stories that will be told around kitchen tables, campfires, family gatherings, and celebrations for years to come. Stories that will make you laugh until you cry. Stories that remind us that life was meant to be lived fully and loudly.

In the end, after all the achievements, adventures, titles, and accomplishments, what mattered most to him was simple.

His family.

Especially the woman he loved.

Even in his final days, his focus remained on making sure she would be taken care of.

That was Vic.

A protector until the very end.

A steady hand.

A mentor.

A father.

A husband.

A grandfather.

A friend.

A life lived well.

His watch has ended and at the end all mattered to him was his wife being taken care of but his story lives on in every lesson he taught, every laugh he inspired, every life he touched, and every person fortunate enough to have called him theirs.

Fair winds and following seas, Vic.

We’ll take it from here.

Vic was preceded in death by his grandparents, his parents Loren and Cera Laughlin, and his beloved grandchild, Jordan, his brothers Bill, Bob, Don and battle buddies whom we know were waiting to welcome him home.

Grandchildren: Monica Forrester (Jason Sherwood), Victor Keller (Cherish Keller), Katrina Keller, Scott Jr (Bubba) Laughlin, Skylar Laughlin, Ty Laughlin, Skyler Laughlin, Cody Laughlin (Olivia Laughlin), Jordan Laughlin, Zach Laughlin, Kaylee Meyers (Zack Meyers), Kyle Frost (Jacee Frost), Austin Bumgarner

Step-Grandchildren: Xander Stover, Sabrina Elliott, Hunter Stover-Stevenson, Cinia Stover -Stevenson

Great grandchildren: Dezirae Keller, ShawnTez Keller, Shydae Keller, Avani Brown, Bratten Laughlin, Talia Laughlin, Brylin Keller, Bryce Keller, Achilles Laughlin, Theodore Laughlin, Vada Laughlin, Isabella Laughlin, Kolt Meyers, Della Frost, Akillian Laughlin, Maria Sherwood

Step-Great Grandchildren: Allexis Richter, Caleb Richter, Konner Richter, Keegon Richter

Great Great children: Aria Keller

Siblings: Gene and Dawn Laughlin

A memorial gathering will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Hick’s Place, 6658 Pashby Road, Cedar Falls, with a military ceremony at 3:00 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Hick is smoking dad’s favorite food so come hungry and ready to laugh between the tears as we share stories of a life truly well lived.