Skip to main content
  1. Blog
  2. News
  3. Membership
  4. In Memory of John McLaughlin

In Memory of John McLaughlin

Northwest Community Credit Union (NWCU) extends wishes in sympathy to the family of John P. McLaughlin, who died Sunday, April 2, 2023 in Bend, Oregon.

McLaughlin served the credit union between 1971–2003, in a distinguished career that guided significant growth and transformation for the credit union. He began as a branch support representative for Weyerhaeuser Federal Credit Union Springfield, Oregon; while he served as branch manager in 1973, credit union members voted to open membership to wood products employees throughout Oregon. McLaughlin took on roles supporting the board of directors and overseeing lending as chief administrative officer.

“John McLaughlin had a keen vision for the possibilities of the credit union—he’d seen our rapid growth as Wood Products Credit Union early in his tenure as credit manager, as we extended membership within a very specialized employment group,” said NWCU Board Director Barbara Blackmore.

“John recognized that, in addition to many smaller wood products credit unions affiliated with timber operators and production facilities, there were additional production processes and systems tied to wood products, like building and construction trades; plastics, resins and synthetic rubber; and chemical plant products used in plywood manufacture,” said Blackmore.

“Serving the working people and families of these related industries, and eventually, others in the state of Oregon helped the credit union build partnerships; in turn, we expanded from three branches in the early 70s (Springfield, Cottage Grove, and North Bend) to eleven at the time of his retirement.”

From 1981–2002, McLaughlin served as chief executive officer, and shepherded another major transition, laying the groundwork for Wood Products Credit Union to adopt a community charter and become Northwest Community Credit Union. The new charter allowed the credit union to serve residents and communities in 12 counties—the largest field of credit union membership at that time in Oregon.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Bend June 10, 2023.