Dr. James E. “Jim” Laughlin, 68, of Mountain View died Friday, Aug. 3 after a 10-year battle with cancer.

He was born in Sacramento. He grew up in Oakdale and moved to San Francisco to attend UCSF dental school.

Immediately after earning his degree, he moved to New Jersey to serve in the U.S. Army as a captain at Fort Dix. He then returned to California to start his dental practice in Palo Alto, where he cared for his patients for 40 years.

Dr. Laughlin was greatly respected professionally for his tireless work ethic, his strive for perfection, and his genuine concern for his patients.

He will always be remembered for his dry sense of humor, his outgoing personality and his love of high-tech gadgets.

His family thanks the many doctors and nurses at Stanford Cancer Center whose hard work and compassion allowed them to enjoy him for the last decade.

He is survived by his loving wife, Laura; daughter, Michelle; son, Michael; daughter-in-law, Danielle; and three grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18 at Grace Lutheran Church, Palo Alto.

Spangler Mortuary, Mountain View, is in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society.