Charles Thomas Edward LaPlant

1914 - 2011

November 4, 1914 - January 21, 2011
Chuck LaPlant passed away in his sleep at Huntington Retirement Hotel in Torrance early Friday morning January 21st. He was born in Sedro-Woolley and grew up in the Kelso/Longview area of Washington. Chuck was the third of seven children born to Charles and Katherine LaPlant. In his youth, Chuck developed an interest in flying, studied in his spare time, and became a licensed single-engine aircraft pilot. A few days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Chuck enlisted in the Army Air Corp. He was hoping to become an Army Air Corp pilot, but at the ripe old age of 27 was already over the age limit. Instead, he became an aircraft mechanic, was promoted to technical sergeant during his enlistment, and was awarded the Bronze Star during his term in the 310th Bombardment Group. A few months after he enlisted, he met his future bride, Jean, while on leave in Culver City. The two were immediately smitten. While Chuck was overseas during the war, Jean wrote him a letter every day for the next 3 years. The mail was often delayed and Chuck would receive bunches of letters. One time, he said he received 90 letters from her all at once. They were married in 1945. After the war, Chuck went to school to become an A&E mechanic and graduated at the top of his class. He worked for Western Airlines until he retired in 1975 and lived with Jean in Westchester until her passing in 2009. Chuck was a craftsman, avid bowler, enjoyed sporty cars and traveling. He is survived by his daughter, Kathy, sister, Lenore, and several nieces and nephews. As a final tribute to this gentle soul who had a great sense of humor, loved life and especially flying, an aerial scattering of his ashes near Mt. Rainier in Washington is planned.