Kenneth Michael LaPlant

Kenneth Michael LaPlant, age 56, of McDonough, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. It is with deepest sorrow and regret to announce the unexpected passing of our much beloved, Kenneth Michael LaPlant, on the evening of October 12, 2022 at 9:25 PM. He arrived at Piedmont Henry Hospital late day October 11th, in McDonough, GA, and was admitted to the ICU early the following morning due to difficulty breathing. Having been visited multiple times by family that morning and night, and with no prognosis, he passed within minutes following a family visit. Ken made a bold entry into the world on November 10, 1965 in the small town of Cortland, New York. He was the proud son to Gerald Russel LaPlant and Patty Jack LaPlant. Kenny, as he was fondly known, was a force to be reckoned with. He carved his own path, even at a young age. He and his family moved from upstate New York and he began his new life as a Military Brat in the small town of Suisun, CA, while his father, Gerald, humbly supported his small family working at Travis Air Force Base. Ken would soon be a big brother when Thomas Russell LaPlant was born in October of 1967. Ken’s mom, Patty, noted that even as a young child, he was a bossy boy, so Tom bore the brunt of his brother’s big personality and willfulness. Ken would move with his family abroad for several years to Yokota AFB in Japan and have lots of new experiences from the time he was 8 to 11 years of age. When they returned to the states he grew up on Dahlia St. in Fairfield, CA, and graduated from Fairfield High School in 1983. Ken entered the Armed Forces to then return home and put in several years working as a rigger at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, CA. After mass layoffs in the Spring of 1996, he eventually relocated to the state of Washington in 1998 to continue his rigging career, which eventually fizzled out and left Ken at an impasse within his career path. Years of being away from the family took a toll on him and his family. And sadly, his mother Patty succumbed to a four year battle with cancer, wherein, more despondency and isolation left him to his own devices. Ken ended up spending, unbeknownst to himself, several of his last remaining years imprisoned and isolated even more. Shortly after Ken’s mother’s departure, his father, Gerald moved to Georgia to live near his son, Tom and his family, for the remainder of his years. Fortunately, by October of 2021, Ken was released from the State of Washington just in time to be able to move to his Father’s home in McDonough, GA. He finally found his way back to his father, brother, and family and was able to be present with his father for his final 3 months when Gerald finally passed away on January 1, 2022. Ken was a funny and larger than life personality wherein, you loved him or you hated him, or both; but he stayed true to who he was and who he wanted to be. His big presence and his thundering voice and laugh will be missed, but will ever be etched in our hearts and minds. He left behind his brother—Thomas, sister-in-law—Stephanie, nephews—Travis (and Family) and Caleb, and nieces—Rachel and Bethany. You are ever loved and will be forever missed ‘Big Brother’ - ‘Unc’