Jon Laughter

Jon H. Laughter, PE, RLS

Vietnam Veteran

Jon Harvey Laughter, 84, of Hendersonville NC, went to be with our Heavenly Father on Friday, May 3, 2024, from his home where he was surrounded by his loving wife and four daughters.

Jon was born in his Grandmother’s house in Etowah on May 11, 1939 to the late Jesse Harvey and Madge Jones Laughter.  He was a graduate of Hendersonville High School, then went on to study engineering and surveying at NC State College (home of the Wolfpack!).  In 1962, after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, he returned to Hendersonville and married the love of his life Linda Connell Laughter.  They had four daughters, Stephanie Laughter Sudano, Cynthia Laughter Pope, Jennifer Laughter Mills, and Jessica Laughter Poole.  

Jon joined the Air Force late in 1962 where he served in both the Tactical Air Command at Pope Field and Red Horse Squadron in Republic of Vietnam 1967, attaining the rank of Captain, and being awarded both Bronze Star and Air Force Commendation Medals for service to his country. Upon return to civilian life, Jon became the NCDOT District Engineer for Henderson County.  In 1974, he started a private engineering and land surveying company in downtown Hendersonville.   Laughter Austin and Associates, PA provided professional services in western NC and SC for 50 years.

Jon was a long standing member of the First Baptist Church of Hendersonville NC.  He greatly influenced his children in the importance of a lifelong relationship with Christ.  He also served his community as a Rotarian, a Hendersonville City Councilman, a member of the City of Hendersonville Board of Education, an appointee to both the County Board and the NC Association of Public Health, and many more.  Jon was always seeking to serve the community in various positions.  His contributions in community service have left an indelible mark on the City of Hendersonville NC, Henderson County, western North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Jon was also a visionary in the engineering field.  His contributions to the Hendersonville community can be seen almost anywhere you turn.  Some more recognizable projects include Kenmure, Carolina Village, Carriage Park, City Racquetball Courts, Kanuga Conference, various summer camps and public facilities, numerous water and sewer lines, water storage tanks, stormwater facilities, bridges, highways, pedestrian bridge and gazebo, parks, sidewalks, greenways,  business locations, and numerous property surveys.  There are too many to list from 50 years of service to the community.  Jon was also instrumental in long range transportation planning for the area, proposing the long considered Balfour Parkway which would have improved east west mobility in Henderson County.

In Jon’s own words, “In addition to working and contributions to my community, my most important work done over the last 50 years has been in becoming a father and grandfather to FOUR daughters and a rather indulgent loving grandfather to NINE grandchildren.”   Since the time he wrote those words, TWO great grandchildren have been added to the list.

Jon is survived by his loving wife Linda, four daughters Stephanie Laughter Sudano (Tim),  Cynthia Laughter Pope (Randy), Jennifer Laughter Mills (Bob), and Jessica Laughter Poole (Shane), and nine grandchildren Jinna Pope Morgan (Blake) , James Hannon Sudano (Marian), Brooke Sudano Davis (Andy), Jonathan Sim Pope, Matthew Tyler Poole (Ashley), Rachael Sudano Meekins (Christian), Shelby Elise Poole, Lindsay Katherine Mills, Caroline Grace Mills, and two great grandchildren Sophia and Grayson.  In addition, Jon is survived by his brother Samuel J. Laughter.

Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Hendersonville NC on Saturday May 11th with visitation at 10 am and service at 11 am, with the Rev. Steve Scoggins officiating.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the SECU Family House of Winston Salem NC (familyhousews.org), Four Seasons Hospice in Hendersonville NC (fourseasonscare.org), or First Baptist Church of Hendersonville NC (fbchnc.org).