James “Jim” Clayton LaPlant, age 94, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2026 at Maple Knoll Village in Cincinnati, OH. He was born to Dorothy and Clayton LaPlant of Marinette, WI on July 21, 1931. Jim’s life work was rooted in education. He received his bachelors degree in math and physics from the College of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, in 1953. He began his career as a high school math and science teacher before advancing to roles as a principal and superintendent. He went on to earn a doctoral degree in Education Administration from the University of WI, ultimately becoming a professor and department chair at the University of Cincinnati in 1969, where he served until retiring after 30 years. He was deeply committed to education, mentoring more than 50 doctoral students at the University of Cincinnati, and helped develop programs that strengthened and supported educational leadership across the country and internationally. Jim will also be remembered for his dedication to the Catholic Church, and diligent service in his local community wherever he lived. Jim was blessed with 59 years of marriage with his first wife, Mary Lou (nee Lahiff) with whom he shared five children. Jim and Mary Lou inherited the Lahiff family cottage on the shores of Green Bay, close to family and friends from their early years. The cottage became the heart of family life, a gathering place filled with memories. After retirement, they built a home there and divided their time between the shore and their home in Cincinnati until Mary Lou’s death in 2014. In 2020, Jim married Mary Ann Williams (nee Zakely) with whom he shared six years of love and companionship for which he remained deeply grateful. Jim is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Williams LaPlant; his children Michael (Lisa) LaPlant, Mary (Kirk) McHugh, Tom (Deeda) LaPlant, Ann (Vernon) Kalb, and David (Stacy) LaPlant; seven grandchildren—Katherine, Monica, Kelsey, Maggie, Jacob, Emma, and Lucy; four great-grandchildren—Jackson, Cameron, Benson, and Maya; his sisters Joan Barry, Nora LaPlant, and Jean (Dan) Gruszynski; his brother-in-law James (Ruth) Lahiff; his wife Mary Ann’s children Denise (Joseph) Hazen and Raymond (Marilyn) Berardinelli; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, his brothers Robert and Donald Ray and twin sisters Patricia and Margaret, brothers and sister-in-law George Barry and Patrick and Jo Lahiff. Jim was loved by many and will be terribly missed by all. Jim generously donated his body to medical science. A Memorial Service will be held on April 23rd at 2pm in the Chapel on the Green at Maple Knoll in Cincinnati, OH. Jim’s ashes will be interred at a later date in the Forest Home Mausoleum in Marinette, WI. Prayers are requested for support and comfort for all the members of Jim’s extended family. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Vincent de Paul of Cincinnati, or St. Vincent de Paul – St. Joseph Conference of Marinette, WI, Hospice of Cincinnati, or a charity of your choice.
