Jay Thomas LaPlant

JAY LAPLANT

DOW - Jay Thomas LaPlant passed away on December 28, 2025, after complications from pancreatitis. He was 29 years old. Jay was born October 2, 1996, in Landstuhl, Germany to Julie Stumpe LaPlant and Jeremy LaPlant, who served in the United States Army. After leaving the service, the family settled back in Jersey County, where Jay was a beloved member of his family, his church, and his community. 

 At the age of 13, Jay was diagnosed with Smith-Magenis Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Undaunted by what might have been a devastating diagnosis, Jay’s family rallied around and supported him, helping to raise a kind, clever, extremely charming, and incredibly loving young man, whose love for his family was as immense as the smile that spread across his face whenever he saw a friend, old or new. 

 Jay graduated from Jersey Community High School in 2016, where he was one of the loudest members of the Blue Crew. Some of the most special people in his life were the ones he met as a member of Panther Pals. In the fall of 2017, he started as a College for Life student at Lewis & Clark Community College.  As most of Jay’s friends were doing, he understood life’s progression from high school to college. College was very important to him, and this program became a major blessing in his life.  His family cannot express their gratitude enough to all faculty and staff involved. 

 Jay was an involved member of Got Faith? Ministry. Every chance he had he would ask Pepaw, his beloved grandfather Louie Stumpe, to take him there. He enjoyed helping in any way he could and being involved in an organization that does so much for his beloved community.  His heart of service was passed down from his Pepaw.   

 He was also a member of Life Church X. He worshipped and loved God wholeheartedly and without abandon. It was rare for him to miss a Sunday. For the congregation, it wouldn’t be a normal Sunday without getting a huge hug from Jay.   

He worked at Sinclair’s Grocery, where he bagged groceries and dispensed hugs freely.  Stanley Sinclair told the family, “Jay doesn’t like to bring carts in, but he sure can talk to the shoppers!”  The job was a near perfect fit for Jay’s skill set. 

Jay was incredibly active and social. He was a founding member of the Livewire Special Needs Ministry at First Baptist Church in Jerseyville. Jay looked forward to attending every Friday morning to make art projects, learn about Jesus, and visit with friends.  

 He was a member of the Friday Night Club at Evangelical Church in Godfrey, where he loved dressing up to match a theme, gaming, dancing, and singing with his many friends.  

 He looked forward to the Community Dinners at First Baptist Church in Jerseyville on Wednesday evenings. He was especially excited when he got to sing with the Pastor. 

Jay was sporty, too. He loved bowling and competed in a league with his bowling team, the Naked Jaybirds. Jay loved every chance he got to hang out with his dad and his buddies. He was a Special Olympian in Track & Field and Bowling, earning a Gold Medal at State for bowling in 2022. 

Ever since he was a little boy, he was a ladies’ man. If there was a party or gathering, Jay would work his way over to the pretty ladies, every time.  At college he was able to meet new pretty ladies and start dating. 

Above all, Jay loved to spend time with family and friends, play games, sing, dance, listen to music, hunt Pokémon, bowl, watch WWE, play arcade games and mini golf, and make art projects.  He looked forward to Sunday night family dinners each week. 

Jay never knew a stranger. He was warm and open and loving to everyone he met. People were blessed to meet him. You know you had met someone special when you met Jay. Seeing him brought joy to everyone. He was a shining light of innocence and love in our world, and he truly brought out the best in people. You could always count on Jay for a compliment.  

Jay is survived by his parents, Julie and Jeremy LaPlant, and his sisters, Jerra and Josie LaPlant. He is preceded in death by his brother Jared LaPlant, and his grandmothers Kathy Stanley and Diane Stumpe. 

His family would like to thank everyone who was accepting of him and made his life so special.  He truly felt the love from all of you!  

His visitation is this Friday, January 2nd from 4 - 8pm at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville. His funeral is Saturday at 10 am at Life Church X in Jerseyville. In honor of Jay’s vibrant spirit, guests are welcome to wear colorful attire if they wish.  Traditional attire is also welcome.  Memorials may be made to Got Faith? and College for Life Lewis & Clark.  

Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jay Thomas LaPlant, please visit our floral store.