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 is a graduate of 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, 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 25 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 a traditional burial services, or Ceremonial Celebration 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 in need of 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 of our itemized services fees.

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.

Jeffrey S. Wilkinson

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.

 

Phillip Pridgen

Funeral Director/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.  

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.

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. 

Elle Sambendetto

Funeral Assistant

DJ Gallardo

Administrator

DJ has lived in the Fort Walton Beach area for 58 years, she graduated from Choctawhatchee High School in 1971, managed a printing business for 40 years.

Widowed, she has two daughters, 6 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She has been with McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home for over four years.

I love the funeral business it makes me happy to take care of families in their time of need.

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.

Gerling Hughey

Funeral Assistant

Gerling is originally from Charleston, West Virginia.  He retired from the U.S. Navy in 2005 after 20 years of service.  Gerling has two children, Jakob and Jadyn.  He resides in Fort Walton Beach, Florida with his cat, Sebastian.

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. 

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.