Jay was a 1st Lt. and fighter pilot in the 9th Air Force, flying P-51's and P-47's (354th FG; 356th "Red Ass" Fighter Squadron) during WWII. He piloted 60 combat missions and 70 combat sorties that covered from the Battle of the Bulge to the end of the war in Europe.
Returning from the war he married his sweetheart, Joyce Marie Davis, from Rocky Mount, NC, and studied textiles at NC State before going to work at Rocky Mount Mills. He retired from a lifetime in the textile industry that ended with Johnson & Johnson in Gainesville, GA.
He is survived by his dedicated wife of 63 years, Joyce Davis Laughridge of Holly Springs, NC; brother, James Palmer Laughridge of Marietta, GA; son, W.J. "Digit" Laughridge III and wife, Beth, of Campobello, SC; son, James L. Laughridge and wife, Vickie, of Fuquay-Varina, NC; daughter, Terri L. Thompson and husband, Larry, of Holly Springs, NC; Grandchildren(7); Christopher and Matt Laughridge of Campobello; and Meredith L. Cross, Esq. and husband, John, of Apex, NC.; Kalyn, Torin and Tanner Laughridge of Fuquay-Varina; and Chelsea Thompson of Holly Springs.
Jay Laughridge was one of the Greatest Generation, and among this nation's veteran Hero's, who without hesitation risked everything, so we might enjoy the liberties and freedom we all share today. Known to his P-51 combat flight crew and fellow pilots as "Lt. Moe Stach" (because of his distinctive handle-bar mustache), he was, and always will be, this family's hero.
A memorial service celebrating and honoring his life will be held Saturday afternoon, Dec. 5th at 2:00 pm at Capital Funeral Home, 2205 East Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27604
Online Memorials may be made at www.cremnc.com
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201.
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