Meet Our Staff

James Robert Bass

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.

Phillip Pridgen

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.  

Jeffrey S. Wilkinson

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.

 

Dwight Johnson

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.

L.E. Eddie McLaughlin III

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.

Eddie is a antique car enthusiast, a 33rd degree Mason and Shriner. Eddie has been providing professional funeral services in North West Florida and South Alabama since 1969, when was attending Mortuary Science School in Kentucky.

He continues to serve his community and care for his families and many friends at McLaughlin Mortuary in Fort Walton Beach, Florida and McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home in Niceville, Florida.

Erin Barker

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. 

James "Max" Devine

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.

Taylor Crider

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. 

Sarah Hickman

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. 

Gary Fuller

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.

Gabe Keller

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. 

Elle Sambendetto

Funeral Assistant

Ryan Warren

Funeral Assistant

Tyler Retzloff

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.

Jerry Sellers

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”.

Allen Stearns

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.

Al is very active in the Fort Walton Beach community, especially the Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club, the Emerald Coast YMCA, the Fort Walton Beach Rotary Club, and his church. 
Al is married to Carol and has two adult sons and four grandchildren. Al and Carol are owners of Decorating Den Interiors.

Al is also an "InSight Certified Celebrant" with Life Tributes Professionals, providing customized, personal funeral and memorial services that reflect the personality and lifestyle of the deceased. Al meets with families and coordinates with our funeral directors to tailor a service based on a families wishes.

Pat Holmes

Ambassador/Grief Support

Pat hosts two bereavement groups; this warm and caring service is open to anyone, and there is never any charge.

Pat is married to Maggie Holmes and has three daughters and four grandchildren. He is retired from the automobile business and is an active member of Saint Mary Catholic Church. Pat is extremely proud to be on the staff of Twin Cities Funeral Home.

Julie Covert

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.