10 THE LAKE GAZETTE - Wednesday, Jan.
4, 2017
...McLaughlin
Continued from front
Settling into a venue
with their mobile busi-
ness as much as a two
days prior to an event to
prepare for the 12 hour
set up. The couple plans
to continue selling at the
larger shows events and
from their website, www.
mclaughlinwestern.com.
The two married in
1969 and moved to Paris
fresh after their honey-
moon, later raising two
boys Jay and Curt. Their
oldest son, Jay is the head
trainer and ranch man-
ager for Aaron Ranch
in Commerce, TX. This
year he became only the
12th rider in NRCHA
history to win more than
a million dollars and was
acknowledged in Reno,
NV this past Oct. Jay and
his wife Wendy (Cun-
ningham of Columbia)
have two sons, Ryder
(15) and Cutter (13).
The McLaughlin’s
youngest son Curt is the
Chaplain Manager for
four Mercy Hospitals,
two in Kansas, one in
Carthage and one in Jop-
lin where they reside. He
received his Master’s De-
gree from Dallas Theo-
logical Seminary and was
admitted to the Baylor
Hospital Chaplaincy pro-
gram which was an ad-
ditional year to complete.
He was a youth pastor in
Richardson, TX. while
his wife Barbie (Flannery
of Wentzville) received
her Master’s Degree in
Special Education. The
couple has three chil-
dren, a son, Michael (6),
a daughter Katherine
(4) and a son Mark (4
months).
While Mike and Ju-
lann’s sons were grow-
ing up Mike worked for
McLaughlin Implement
Co. for five years before
starting up McLaughlin
Performance Horses full-
time, where he trained,
stood stallions and
bought and sold horses.
Many of his horses won
several World Champion-
ships & R.O.M’s. Mike fered more than 30 sports “We opened the store walls and shelves. The “dressing up.” We’d go
sold horses to faraway a year for the school in her in 1981 and it grew rap- store also offered home have lunch and come
places such as Italy, Ger- 13-year tenure. idly from there.” Said décor. From western back and they’d start
many, Canada and Mexi- The two have worked Julann. What started out style furniture to branded again sometimes staying
co as well as all over the in the church and with as a saddle and tack shop cow hide wall hangings, till dark.”
U.S. Mike went into the the American Cancer So- quickly took hold. Their the McLaughlin Western The McLaughlin’s
horse business full time ciety where Julann was magical store, a Rolls store had it all. Every have lived a life of ser-
in 1972 after purchasing the Special Events Chair- Royce show room of the piece in the store was vice, leading children to
a few acres. His busi- man for the county for 17 western arena will surely hand-picked by Julann a life of success. They
ness grew rapidly to in- years. Mike was President be missed in the years to who is a class act. The are believers in contrib-
clude 42 stalls, an indoor of the MO State Saddle come. Show clothes and two sharp dressed sweet- uting to the community
and outdoor arena, round Club Association and Ju- casual wear complete hearts have enjoyed the and have made an im-
pens and pipe corals. He lann was the secretary and with Swarovski crystals, clients and friends they pression over the years.
currently boards horses treasurer. She was also is any cowgirl queen’s have met along the way. They are well-known
at their facility outside on the Paris R-1 School dream place to shop. Julann expressed, “I’ve across the state for their
of Paris. Mike spoke of Board President for six Items from boots, belts, had as many as eight la- coaching for the 4H
selling his boys horses years and served as presi- hats, outerwear and even dies drive in from as far Horse Project for more
once or twice over the dent one. The two were custom purses lined the as Iowa to spend the day than 25 years.
years, when they would instrumental in the for-
come home and ask, mation of the Lakeway
“Where’s my horse?” Horsemen’s Association.
He’d tell them pick out “We did everything as a
another one. “It made family, which we think
them better horsemen.” is very important. I will
Mike said. never forget when I was a
Julann was hired to youngster showing horses,
begin teaching the new all the mothers gathered at
physical education pro- the Macon Grandstand and
gram at the Paris Elemen- one mother was complain-
tary and Jr. High schools ing (about being at another
early in their marriage. horse show) when a fam-
After four years she was ily friend of ours looked
asked to become the High up at her and asked her,
school girls basketball “Where else would you be
coach, and the following with your 16-year-old son
year her duties increased on a Saturday night?” That
to include girls track and stuck with me as we were
golf. As the physical raising our boys.” Julann
education teacher, she of- recounted.
2014 for their commitment to of past and present patrons,
the University of Missouri Ex- the McLaughlin’s can close
tension’s 4-H Youth Develop- this chapter of their lives and
ment program. “We enjoyed the spend more time in greener
youngsters and their parents, pastures writing the next
who worked hard to succeed in chapter in their novel with
the program. It was a lot of fun.” the littles in their life. The
Julann commented. Julann and McLaughlin’s plan to partic-
Mike helped build the Mon- ipate in their grandchildren’s
roe County 4-H Horse Project. activities more and also do
Over the years Julann wrote some traveling.
grants and the group received 8
grants for three years in a row
which helped build the Paris
horse arena at the fairgrounds.
Parents and kids Shutting the doors to their
would come from five beloved Western store wasn’t
surrounding counties an easy thing to do for the dy-
to be coached from the namic duo. “We have some
legends. fabulous customers who travel
Coaching three teams from near and far to visit our
to state competitions unique store. We appreciate
and 4H Nationals across all of our customers and have
the country bringing become close friends with so Michael McLaughlin,
home two state titles many.” Said Julann. “After 35 Mike and Julann’s
and one reserve. The years we still enjoy serving our grandson enjoys visit-
couple was inducted in customers, we just want to free ing with them at their
the 4-H Hall of Fame in up some time.” With the help home in Paris.