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History Page
 The history of North's Funeral Home actually started in a furniture store in a little, dusty, western town of Abilene, Texas, before the turn of the century. During this time period, people took care of their dead as quickly as possible with the help of the local furniture store because this establishment had the wood and tools to make caskets.
Dan T. Laughter was brought in from Louisiana because he was skilled in the new art of embalming, which had become a practice during the Civil War. In 1905, the flip of a coin gave Mr. Laughter the undertaking business while his partner kept the furniture store. Mr. Laughter went on to become one of the first licensed funeral directors between Ft. Worth and El Paso. He had a beautiful set of horses to pull his hearse and was called upon to serve a large area surrounding Abilene. He had no competition until 1927.
After opening his first funeral home, on Sycamore Street, Mr. Laughter changed locations to South First Street, a short time later. In 1934, he bought an elegant two story home at North Third and Orange Street. He operated the firm himself until 1945. When his only son passed away, Mr. Laughter accepted the offer of Mr. and Mrs. Russell W. North to become his successors.
 Russell and Willena North were both licensed funeral directors. In fact, Willena North was one of the first ladies to become a funeral director in the State of Texas. Russell North learned the art of embalming in St. Louis during the thirties, before moving to El Campo, Texas, in 1936, where he and his wife operated a grocery store and a funeral home. Due to the health of their second son, the family moved to the drier climate that Abilene offered.
The North's built the first funeral chapel in Abilene in 1948. They also operated an ambulance service for many years. Later, an air ambulance/hearse was added which their sons piloted. The North's were the first in Abilene to add two-way radios for their ambulances and to add a south side location.
North's Funeral Home's reputation was built on personal, dignified service to the families they assisted. From the very start, the North's answered calls 24/7. Many hours were spent after the official closing time at the office handling arrangement details for grieving families. All four of the North children also helped in the business performing necessary tasks, and two sons became licensed morticians.
In 1967, the exterior of the funeral home was completely remodeled, and the North's have continued to modernize the business while maintaining the old-fashioned, personalized attention give to each grieving family.
Since 1967, Jack North has been active in the business and took over the reins after his father's death in 1979. Jack has been very active in the community and Dyess Air Force Base through his participation in the Chamber of Commerce. Jack has also made another name for himself, "Cactus Jack", as he recounts the history of Abilene. Over 85,000 have seen his slide show documenting this history; and he has authored two books, one being historical and the other hysterical, as he humorously tells tales of being raised in the funeral home business.
In 2003, Sandie North joined Jack in the business. Her caring ways have endeared her to many, and her business savvy has greatly enhanced the day-to-day operation of the funeral home.
North's Funeral Home has been faithfully operated by two families for over 100 years. Their reputation for personal, dignified service has been firmly established. Jack and Sandie North express their appreciation to both the families and the community of Abilene for the opportunity to serve them.
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