James Robert McLauchlen III of Southampton Dies October 15

James Robert McLauchlen III died on October 15, 2023, after a very brief illness. Jim was born in Port Jefferson on March 26, 1941 to Marie and James R. McLauchlen, Jr. He grew up in Rockville Centre and Southampton. After high school, he attended C.W. Post College, and served in the Army Reserves for eight years. In 1964 Jim married Kathleen Carew, his high school sweetheart, and they were blessed with two children, Jennifer in 1966 and Jim IV in 1968.

Jim was a Motor Products Manager with Sun Oil Company for many years, but in 1973, he decided to leave the corporate world, move to Water Mill and join his father’s Southampton Real Estate firm. Jim spent over 50 years working in the office and in the field, negotiating, buying, selling and appraising property as well as developing projects of his own. Both of Jim’s children worked in the real estate and appraisal business with him. The business will continue with his daughter Jennifer at the helm. He was owner and president of James R. McLauchlen Real Estate, Inc. and Hamptons Appraisal Service, Inc. He held a New York State Certified General Appraiser License and was a member of the National Association of Realtors and the Long Island Board of Realtors. During his many years in the community he served on Southampton School Board from 1982 to 1986. He was a member of the Water Mill Community Club, Southampton Golf Club, Long Island Ski Club, Hamptons Surf Club, and the founding member of the Southampton Association for Beach Access (SABA). He loved traveling in his Airstream trailer all through the country but his greatest love was fishing, being at the ocean beach and Shinnecock Bay. He would go surfcasting seven days a week at several “secret spots” only the fishermen knew. He always said that as a fisherman, he was an eternal optimist and his favorite fishing quote sums it up: “The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive, but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope”.

Rather than “Good Bye”, Jim would say, “Tight lines - See you at the beach”.

Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years Kathleen, his daughter Jennifer, son James IV, grandchildren Lachlan Robert and Ava Rosamond DeSane as well as many extended family members.

A visitation will be held Thursday, October 19th from 6-8pm with a service officiated by Richie King 7:30pm at the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The Water Mill Museum or The Water Mill Community Club.

“Gone Fishing”