The following tribute and obituary was written by Dave's daughter, Candy Charping-Acer...

David Neal "Dave" Laughlin 76, of Guntersville, Alabama, unexpectantly passed away on July 28, 2026.

Born on August 27, 1950, in Washington, Indiana, Dave lived a life defined by love, laughter, music, family, friendship, and an unwavering appreciation for life's simple pleasures.  He possessed an easygoing spirit, a contagious smile, a quick wit, and a wonderfully goofy sense of humor that could brighten any room.  Whether he was telling a story, sharing a meal, or making someone laugh, Dave had an extraordinary gift for making people feel welcome.  He never met a stranger, and those fortunate enough to know him rarely forgot him.

Dave was a proud graduate of Plainfield High School in Plainfield, Indiana and later attended Harper College.  His outgoing personality, knowledge, and genuine ability to connect with people led him to a successful career as a sales representative for M&K Wines.  

Wine became much more than a profession-it became one of Dave's greatest passions.  A true wine connoisseur, he appreciated the history, craftsmanship and character behind every bottle.  He delighted in introducing others to exceptional wines, sharing what he had learned and pairing the perfect wine with a memorable meal.  For Dave, wine was never simply about what was poured into a glass; it was about bringing people together around a table filled with family, friends, laughter, conversation and wonderful food.

After making Huntsville, Alabama, his home, Dave built a beautiful life centered around family and the many passions that brought him joy.  One of the greatest blessings of his life was his beloved late wife, Esther, with whom he shared more than three decades of marriage.  Together they created a home filled with laughter, friendship, unwavering love, and countless treasured memories. Dave and Esther shared a love for bowling, competing together in several leagues throughout the Huntsville area.  The bowling alley quickly became much more than a place to compete--it became a second home where lifelong friendships were formed.  Family members often joked that if you were looking for Dave and Esther, chances were good you would find them at the bowling alley surrounded by friends.

Sports were another lifelong passion.  Dave was a devoted Atlanta Braves fan who rarely missed a game and could happily spend hours talking baseball with anyone willing to join the conversation.

Golf, however, held a special place in his heart.  Introduced to the game by his father, Donald, golf became a lifelong passion and treasured family tradtition.  Whenever Dave returned home to Indiana, some of his happiest moments were spent on the course alongside his father and his brother, Steve.  Blessed with remarkable natural talent, many who played with Dave believed he possessed the ability to compete professionally.

He loved sharing that passion with his family as much as he loved playing the game itself.  Many afternoons were spent on the golf course creating memories, laughing over good shots, and occassionally watching a golf club fly toward a nearby tree after an especially frustrating swing--moments that became part of the stories family members still tell today.

Dave also found joy in quiet fishing trips and long country drives that never needed a destination.  He understood that some of life's greatest conversations happened with the windows down, the scenery passing by, and nowhere in particular to be.

One tradition remained especially meaningful throughout the years.  Every other Sunday, before taking his daughter home after a weekend together, Dave always made one final stop at Arby's.  They looked forward to their Jamocha Shake and Potato Cakes.  What seemed like an ordinary Sunday tradion became one of their many treasured memories. 

The kitchen was another place where Dave truly came alive.  Cooking was one of the many ways he expressed his love for others.  He believed food had the unique ability to bring people together, and no one ever left his table hungry.  He became especially known for the incredible homemade barbecue sauces, creating several signature recipes that quickly became family favorites.  Each sauce reflected his creativity, generosity, and joy in sharing something special with the people he loved.  His passion for cooking was lovingly passed on to his daughter, who continues to cherish the lessons she learned while sitting on the countertop watching him cook.  Those lessons extended far beyond recipes--they taught that preparing a meal was one of life's simplest and greatest expressions of love.  

One of Dave's greatest joys in life was being a father, but nothing compared to becoming "PawPaw Smurf."  Long before Kiersten arrived, Ashley and Shelbie had already captured his heart, and he proudly spent countless weekends cheering Ashley on from the stands at her gymnastics competitions, never missing an opportunity to celebrate her accomplishments.  Dave believed that simply showing up for the people he loved was one of life's greatest privileges.  As the family eagerly awaited Kiersten's birth, Dave and Candy's mother playfully debated whether the newest granddaughter would arrive with bright red hair or jet-black hair, each absolutely certain they would be right.  The women in Dave's family had a remarkable way of making him proud.  Candy was the first to earn her Registered Nurse degree, proudly beginning what became the family's unofficial tradition of strong, accomplished women.  As the years passed and the next generation followed, Dave jokingly claimed the girls had officially taken over--and truthfully, he wouldn't have wanted it any other way.  Surrounded by daughters, granddaughters, and plenty of love, he happily embraced being outnumbred.  Whether he was making one of his famous grilled cheese sandwiches, sharing stories, making everyone laugh, or simply spending time together, Dave had a remakable gift for making each of his granddaughters feel deeply loved, valued and incredibly special.  Those ordinary moments became lifelong memories that reflected the kind of father, grandfather and "PawPaw Smurf" he would always be remembered as.

Music was woven into the very fabric of Dave's life and remained one of his greatest lifelong passions.  As a young man, he was an exceptionally talented drummer whose extensive musical career became one of his proudest accomplishments.  During his younger years, he performed with several bands, including spending time playing as a drummer in the Chicago, Illinois, music scene.  Behind a drum set, Dave came alive.  His natural rhythm, boundless energy and unmistakable stage presence captivated audiences, while even in everyday life his hands instinctively found a beat on tabletops, steering wheels, countertops, or anything within reach.  

Following his heartbreaking loss of his beloved late wife, Esther, a part of Dave grew quiet.  Wanting to help him rediscover one of the passions that had always brought his joy, his daughter encouraged him to pick up his drumsticks once again.  That simple encouragement became the beginning of a beautiful new chapter.

Dave grew his hair long again, embraced life with renewed enthusiasm, and returned to doing what he loved most--making music.  He began performing with local bands throughout the Guntersville area, reconnecting with fellow musicians and audiences who quickly recognized both his remarkable talent and his genuine love for entertaining.  Watching him smile behind a drum set once again, doing what came so naturally to him, became one of the greatest joys for those who loved him.

Music wasn't simply something Dave did--it was part of who he was.  It represented resilience, hope, and the remarkable ability to find happiness again after tremendous loss.  The rhythm of his drums became the soundtrack to a beautiful new chapter of his life, reflecting his enduring spirit and his determination to continue embracing life with the same joy that had always defined him.

Dave's greatest legacy was never measured by the things he owned, but by the lives he touched.  He will be remembered for his generous heart, warm smile, infectious laughter, extraordinary musicianship, love of cooking, fine wines, golf, bowling, baseball and above all, his unwarvering devotion to family and friends.  He taught those around him that life's greatest blessings are not found in material possessions, but in shared meals, genuine friendships, laughter, music and time spent with the people we love.

Dave was preceded in death by his beloved late wife, Esther Laughlin; his parents, Donald and Bonnie Laughlin; his brother, Williwm Laughlin; and his beloved son-in-law, Christopher Charping.

Dave is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Candy Charping-Acer, RN (Randy Acer) of Clarkston, Michigan; his loyal stepson, Gene (Donna) Pledger of Huntsville, Alabama, his step granddaughter, Shelbie Pledger of Huntsville, Alabama; his step-granddaughter, Ashley Forman of Huntsville, Alabama, and his brother, Steve (Nina) Laughlin of Odon, Indiana; his sister Melissa (Troy) Woodruff of Fishers, Indiana; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, lifelong friends, fellow musicians, golfing partners, bowling companions, and everyone whose life was made brighter by knowing him.  Dave also leaves behind his wife, Janet Laughlin of Guntersville, Alabama, with whom he shared the later years of life.

A celebration of Life honoring Dave will be held at a later date and hosted by his daughter, Candy, and his granddaughter, Kiersten.  Family and friends will be invited to gather to share stories, laughter, music and cherished memories as they celebrate the remarkable life and lasting legacy of a man who meant so much to so many.  Details will be announced once arrangements have been finalized.

His laughter will continue to echo through the stories shared by family and friends.  His music will live on in every beat of a drum.  His kindness will be remembered in every life he touched, and his love will forever remain in the hearts of those who were blessed to know him.

Forever loved.  Forever missed.  Forever Our Dave, Forever Our PawPaw Smurf, and Forever Daddy.

( Although he didn't join our website, he did keep in contact with his friends, Frank Litherland, Rob Coulter, Bob Cushman and Dan Snyder.  Some of their gatherings can be found on our Reunion Photos link.  Below are other photos taken from a post by his wife, Janet Heath Laughlin.)