We have years of experience caring for families from all walks of life, cultures and faiths. Our unsurpassed staff and our family provide kind, caring, professional service. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession who are dedicated to excellence in service, adhere to the highest funeral industry standards, and have exceptional integrity. We consistently earn phenomenally high customer satisfaction survey results.
Our licensed, professional staff is here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please call 850-678-7768 anytime. We will even come to you to make arrangements in the comfort of your home.
Prompt, compassionate service is always just a phone call away, where and when you need it.
Managing Partner /Funeral Director
Originally from McAllen, Texas, and bilingual, James always knew he wanted to be a funeral director and embalmer. He graduated from Commonwealth College of Mortuary Science, Houston, Texas, and has been a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer since 1975. Schooled in staff management, leadership, human resources, and civic leadership, James is a 32nd Degree Mason, is a member of the Scottish Rite and the Fort Walton Beach Rotary Club International, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers. He is a member of First Baptist Church and a 33-degree Shriner at the Hadji Temple.
James has been married to Janice for over 30 years. They met when Janice had to arrange funeral services for her Aunt in Texas. They have made their home in Shalimar, Florida, and have three children, eight grandchildren, and Elvis and Gracie, two little poodles who are their constant companions.
James and the staff are licensed to provide an atmosphere of understanding and care for your loved ones in celebration of their lives. We are highly devoted professionals dedicated to providing the most meaningful celebrations of a loved one’s life and offering families an environment for peaceful reflection. We realize we have funerals every day whereas the families we serve do not. We take our time to listen, and we feel it is our responsibility to help our families, who are arranging traditional burial services, or Ceremonial Celebrations of Life, followed by traditional cremation at our state-of-the-art Crematory where we only provide cremation exclusively for the families we are privileged to serve. Your loved one never leaves our care.
James invites anyone needing information to stop by to discuss At-Need Arrangements or Pre-Need/imminent Arrangements. With no obligations attached, we provide our General Price List that includes all our itemized service fees.
FDIC/Embalmer
Born in neighboring Santa Rosa County, Phillip possesses the
hospitable nature characteristic of people in the South. He has a passion for
helping people after the passing of their loved ones. Phillip earned his
Bachelor’s Degree from Troy University and went on to earn his Applied Science
Degree in Funeral Science Education at Georgia’s Ogeechee Technical
College. Prior to joining the professional staff at Emerald Coast Funeral
Home, he served as a funeral director at Atlanta’s historic H.M. Patterson
& Son Funeral Directors. Phillip currently
holds funeral director and embalmer licenses in both Florida and Georgia.
Location Manager - Funeral Director/Embalmer
Jeffrey was born and raised in Carrollton, Georgia. He graduated from Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama with his Associate’s degree in Funeral Science. Jeffrey started in the funeral business in 1997 in Carrollton, Georgia and moved to Milton, Florida in 2007. Jeffrey enjoys the outdoors including camping and long walks on the beach. His favorite pastime activity is playing the piano. Jeffrey has been in the business for over 20 years and looks forward to another 20 years with McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home.
Funeral Director/Embalmer
A Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer and a 1994 graduate of Bishop State College in Mobile, Alabama, Dwight has been serving the community since graduating at the following locations: McLaughlin Mortuary, the former Little Chapel, Twin Cities, Niceville, and Emerald Coast. He served a Church Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and is retired from the United States Air Force for 24 years of active duty.Funeral Director, Embalmer
Eddie is a third generation Funeral Director. In 1922, Eddie's grandfather, L.E. McLaughlin, Sr., founded the McLaughlin Funeral Home in Crestview, Florida, where Eddie currently lives today with his wife Rhonda McLaughlin. In 1955, Eddie's grandfather also founded the McLaughlin Mortuary in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.Funeral Director
Erin is new to the Emerald Coast area and has been a Funeral Director for 7 years. She attended Arapahoe Community in Colorado where she earned her associate's degree in Mortuary Science in 2016.
After living in Colorado for 10 years, it was time to come home to Florida where she grew up. Erin now lives in Gulf Breeze with her partner, Austin, and their two daughters. When not working she loves to go to the beach and attending concerts.
Funeral Director
Max graduated from mortuary school in 2016 from Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach, Virginia. After his enlistment with the United States Army, he re-entered the funeral service industry in 2021 out of Pensacola Florida. He joined the team with Emarald Coast Funeral Home in 2023. When not in the office you’ll find him dabbling in card magic, swimming, or painting.
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Taylor is from Carterville, Illinois and a 2019 graduate of
Southern Illinois University where he received his Bachelors of Science degree
in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service. He obtained his funeral director and
embalmer licenses in the state of Kentucky following in the footsteps of his
late grandfather, Robert Earl Taylor, whose funeral home Taylor grew up in. Taylor
has lived in Mary Esther since August of 2021 and is currently reciprocating
his Kentucky licenses to Florida. When he is not serving families, Taylor
enjoys the gym, fishing, watching St. Louis Blues hockey, and spending time
with his dogs Gracie and Binnie.
Administrator
Sarah grew up a transient military kid, but found a home here in the panhandle back in 2008. She has recently stumbled into the funeral home industry but has fallen in love with it quickly and is passionate about providing excellent administrative support through her extensive creative and customer service background. Outside of work, she is the mother of beautiful and energetic daughter and together they enjoy library days, music, art, games, and vampires.
Funeral Assistant
Gary is a lifelong resident of Ft. Walton Beach, FL. Gary was in the insurance and auto business since 1974. After retiring, Gary joined our team as a funeral assistant. Gary has raised four children and has seven grandchildren. He and his wife, Gloria reside in Ft. Walton Beach.
Funeral Assistant
Gabe is originally from Washington State where his family resides,
before moving to Niceville in July of 2022. Gabe has been in the funeral
industry for almost two years and plans on furthering his courier in the field.
Funeral Assistant
Funeral Assistant
Crematory Operator
Tyler was born in Adel, Georgia to a military family where
he spent several years before relocating to Michigan. Tyler joined the army
where he spent several years working investigations before leaving in 2014.
Tyler moved to Fort Walton Beach in 2014 where he spent his time assisting the
community in local events and operating as a behavioral therapist. Tyler
received his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of West
Florida. When not working as the Cremation Technician Tyler enjoys spending
time with family, Cooking, and spending time at the beach.
Maintenance Supervisor
Jerry was born in Florida, moved around to Louisiana, Texas, then settled in Fairfax, VA where he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country honorably as an Aircraft Maintenance/Personnel. After retirement, he pursued a career in the building trade and eventually moving to Fort Walton Beach to work with the United States Air Force in Lodging Maintenance. Jerry enjoys rebuilding old cars, listening to oldies music, and his cat “Tiger”.
Celebrant/Funeral Assistant
Allan "Al" Stearns joined the staff in 2011. Al is a retired Air Force officer and has resided in the local area since 1978.Ambassador/Grief Support
Pat hosts two bereavement groups; this warm and caring service is open to anyone, and there is never any charge.Office Manager
Julie is a Texas native. She has traveled and lived all over the world. Moving many times with a military spouse has given her experience in many job settings. Her best attribute is helping others when they need it most. She is a registered Notary for the State of Florida. Her greatest treasure is being called Mimi. Julie enjoys making crafts, spending time with her family, camping, the water, and time with her dog.
You are welcome to call us any time of the day, any day of the week, for immediate assistance. Or, visit our funeral home in person at your convenience.