James Ronald “Ronnie” McLaurin, 87, of Pinehurst, passed away Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, Pinehurst.
Ronnie was born March 4, 1938, to the late Baxter Neil McLaurin and Bessie Garphelia Stubbs McLaurin.
Most remember Ronnie as “Railroad Ronnie” because he worked as a conductor with the railroad for many years. If you needed him, you could always find him at Hamlet Hardware, Convenience Corner, Arlo’s, or having coffee with friends at Birmingham Drug.
He enjoyed working in his yard. He loved his family, and his loved ones recall how his eyes would light up whenever his grandchildren and great grandchildren would walk in the room. Ronnie also enjoyed fishing throughout his years. He was loving and tenderhearted and he was also known as a big teddy bear. Ronnie will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Along with his parents, Ronnie was preceded in death by his brothers, Wayne McLaurin, Carlisle McLaurin and Hugh McLaurin; and sisters, Edith Owens, Betty Axsom and Barbara Owens.
Ronnie is survived by his loving wife of almost 51 years, Patricia “Patty” Reese McLaurin; daughters, Amy Gurano (Frankie) of Conway, South Carolina, and Lynn Rainwater (Kevin) of Rockingham; son, James “Jim” Ronald McLaurin Jr. of Gibson; grandchildren, Tara Gurano Messer (Bradley), Shayna Boyd-Shelley (Trask), Tyler Gurano Hoffman (Gage), Ethan Rainwater and Austin Rainwater; great-grandchildren, Hayden Chappell, Shaylin Smith, Gracie Shelley, Lilly Shelley, Nova Hoffman, Layton Messer, and triplet baby boys on the way, Asher James Hoffman, Briggs John Hoffman, and Cameron Hugh Hoffman; and his sister, Doris Ann Caudle of Tampa, Florida.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 1-2 p.m., at First United Methodist Church in Hamlet.
A Celebration of Life will immediately follow the visitation at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Dan Blair officiating.
Burial will be held privately.
Harrington Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at harringtonfuneralhome.com.
