Lenny was born in Brooklyn, New York to Irving and Shirley Kaplan on August 2, 1936. He attended Tilden High School where he started a lengthy sports career and was given the nickname of “Fuzzy” Kaplan, which stayed with him while becoming a champion in both baseball and football.
Lenny moved to Memphis to attend the University of Memphis where he was a full back known for his power on the field. Later becoming a huge fan of the Memphis Tigers and Grizzlies, Lenny became a regular at The Racquet Club of Memphis (formerly known as the Memphis Athletic Club) and was well known for his racquetball and tennis playing, while making life-long friends.
He was also known for his grit and stamina both in his youth when he competed in sports with the higher age group teams and then again in his later years when he competed with and amazed the younger players by keeping up with, and sometimes beating them at their own game.
Lenny was a force to be reckoned with, he was a self-made man, signing with the Kansas City Royals, having a successful sales career and business. He was generous as well; giving to charities such as the Wounded Warriors, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, ALS, and Alzheimer Research.
Lenny is preceded in death by his parents, Irving and Shirley Kaplan.
Lenny is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Ginger; daughter, Pam Kaplan; son, Kenny (Carmen) Kaplan; sister, Diane Kaplan; brother, Ronald Kaplan; two granddaughters, Alexandra (David) Lockhart and Kinsey (Sergio) Vazquez; one grandson, Evan Kline; three great-grandsons; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation & reception for Lenny will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2022 beginning at 12:00 PM until the funeral service at 2:00 PM, at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119. Graveside committal service will immediately follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com for the Kaplan family.
