Meet Our Staff

Mr. James Robert Bass

Managing Partner, Licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer. Crematory Certified.

Originally from McAllen, Texas and bilingual, James always knew he wanted to be a funeral director and embalmer. He is a graduate of Commonwealth College of Mortuary Science, Houston, Texas and has been a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer since 1975. Schooled in staff management, leadership, human resources and civic leadership, James is a 32nd Degree Mason, is a member of the Scottish Rite and the Fort Walton Beach Rotary Club International, sits on the Board of Directors of the Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers. He is a member of First Baptist Church.

James has been married to Janice for over 22 years. They met when Janice had to arrange funeral services for her Aunt in Texas. They have made their home in Shalimar, Florida and have three children, eight grandchildren, and Lacey and Gracie, two little poodles who are their constant companions.

James and the staff are licensed to provide an atmosphere of understanding and care for your loved ones in celebration of their lives. We are highly devoted professionals dedicated to providing the most meaningful celebrations of a loved one’s life and offering families an environment for peaceful reflection. We realize we have funerals every day whereas the families we serve do not. We take our time to listen, and we feel it is our responsibility to help our families, who are arranging a traditional burial services, or Ceremonial Celebration of Life, followed by traditional cremation at our state-of-the-art Crematory where we only provide cremation exclusively for the families we are privileged to serve. Your loved one never leaves our care.

James invites anyone in need of information to stop by to discuss At-Need Arrangements or Pre- Need/imminent Arrangements. With no obligations attached, we provide our General Price List that includes all of our itemized services fees.

Dwight Johnson

Funeral Director/Embalmer

A Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer and a 1994 graduate of Bishop State College in Mobile, Alabama, Dwight has been serving the community since graduating at the following locations: McLaughlin Mortuary, the former Little Chapel, Twin Cities, Niceville, and Emerald Coast. He served a Church Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and is retired from the United States Air Force for 24 years of active duty.

Jeffrey S. Wilkinson

Location Manager - FDIC/Embalmer

Jeffrey was born and raised in Carrollton, Georgia.  He graduated from Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama with his Associate’s degree in Funeral Science.  Jeffrey started in the funeral business in 1997 in Carrollton, Georgia and moved to Milton, Florida in 2007.  Jeffrey enjoys the outdoors including camping and long walks on the beach.  His favorite pastime activity is playing the piano.  Jeffrey has been in the business for over 20 years and looks forward to another 20 years with McLaughlin Mortuary.

 

Phillip Pridgen

Funeral Director/Embalmer

Born in neighboring Santa Rosa County, Phillip possesses the hospitable nature characteristic of people in the South. He has a passion for helping people after the passing of their loved ones. Phillip earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Troy University and went on to earn his Applied Science Degree in Funeral Science Education at Georgia’s Ogeechee Technical College.  Prior to joining the professional staff at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, he served as a funeral director at Atlanta’s historic H.M. Patterson & Son Funeral Directors.  Phillip currently holds funeral director and embalmer licenses in both Florida and Georgia. 

 

Taylor Crider

Funeral Director/Embalmer

Taylor is from Carterville, Illinois and a 2019 graduate of Southern Illinois University where he received his Bachelors of Science degree in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service. He obtained his funeral director and embalmer licenses in the state of Kentucky following in the footsteps of his late grandfather, Robert Earl Taylor, whose funeral home Taylor grew up in. Taylor has lived in Mary Esther since August of 2021 and is currently reciprocating his Kentucky licenses to Florida. When he is not serving families, Taylor enjoys the gym, fishing, watching St. Louis Blues hockey, and spending time with his dogs Gracie and Binnie. 

James "Max" Devine

Funeral Director

Max graduated from mortuary school in 2016 from Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach, Virginia. After his enlistment with the United States Army, he re-entered the funeral service industry in 2021 out of Pensacola Florida. He joined the team with Emarald Coast Funeral Home in 2023. When not in the office you’ll find him dabbling in card magic, swimming, or painting.

Erin Barker

Funeral Director

Erin is new to the Emerald Coast area and has been a Funeral Director for 7 years. She attended Arapahoe Community in Colorado where she earned her associate's degree in Mortuary Science in 2016.

After living in Colorado for 10 years, it was time to come home to Florida where she grew up. Erin now lives in Gulf Breeze with her partner, Austin, and their two daughters. When not working she loves to go to the beach and attending concerts. 

Pamela Strecker

Administrator

Pamela was born and raised in Connecticut, relocated to California, Alabama, and then finally landed in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  She is a graduate of Troy University.  Pam is a registered Notary for the State of Florida, holds an active Real Estate License with the State of Florida, and joins us from the legal field.  Her spare time is spent with her family or with her extended family at Stage Crafters Community Theatre, Inc.

Elle Sambendetto

Funeral Assistant

Gabe Keller

Funeral Assistant

Gabe is originally from Washington State where his family resides, before moving to Niceville in July of 2022. Gabe has been in the funeral industry for almost two years and plans on furthering his courier in the field. In his off time Gabe enjoys trying craft beer and listening to metal music.

 

Allen Stearns

Celebrant/Funeral Assistant

Allan "Al" Stearns joined the staff in 2011. Al is a retired Air Force officer and has resided in the local area since 1978.

Al is very active in the Fort Walton Beach community, especially the Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club, the Emerald Coast YMCA, the Fort Walton Beach Rotary Club, and his church.
Al is married to Carol and has two adult sons and four grandchildren. Al and Carol are owners of Decorating Den Interiors.

Al is also an "InSight Certified Celebrant" with Life Tributes Professionals, providing customized, personal funeral and memorial services that reflect the personality and lifestyle of the deceased. Al meets with families and coordinates with our funeral directors to tailor a service based on a families wishes.

Larry H. Rogers

Crematory Operator

Larry H. Rogers moved from his hometown in Birmingham, Alabama to the Fort Walton Beach area in 1996. After four years of working as an Ambassador assisting with funerals and visitations at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, he became the Crematory Operator at Okaloosa Crematory located at McLaughlin Mortuary. He attended class and was certified as a crematory operator in April 2008 through the Matthews Cremation program in Apopka, Florida. Larry lives in southwest Okaloosa County.

Tyler Retzloff

Crematory Operator

Tyler was born in Adel, Georgia to a military family where he spent several years before relocating to Michigan. Tyler joined the army where he spent several years working investigations before leaving in 2014. Tyler moved to Fort Walton Beach in 2014 where he spent his time assisting the community in local events and operating as a behavioral therapist. Tyler received his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of West Florida. When not working as the Cremation Technician Tyler enjoys spending time with family, Cooking, and spending time at the beach.

Pat Holmes

Ambassador/Grief Support

Pat hosts two bereavement groups; this warm and caring service is open to anyone, and there is never any charge.

Pat is married to Maggie Holmes and has three daughters and four grandchildren. He is retired from the automobile business and is an active member of Saint Mary Catholic Church. Pat is extremely proud to be on the staff of McLaughlin Mortuary.