John Elmer Plamp, Jr. passed away peacefully at home July 28, 2017. Mr. Plamp was born May 18, 1925 in Louisville to John E. Plamp, Sr and Margaret Dixon Plamp.

Mr. Plamp attended St. Francis of Assisi grade school and graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1943 and then volunteered for U.S. Army service. He was assigned to the Army College Program at The Citadel in Charleston, S.C. and subsequently was assigned to the 100th Infantry Division. He served in France and Germany and was captured with his unit in Bravaria. He escaped from his captors and hid with a German family until allied troops came through. Mr. Plamp was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his service to his country.

Following the war, Mr. Plamp graduated from Indiana University in 1948 where he was a member of Phi Kappa Fraternity. After school he returned to Louisville and joined his father in the Plamp Insurance Agency and later founded the Plamp-Keen Livestock Agency. He retired in 1990. He and Martha Miles Plamp were married in 1954 and raised 3 children. His lifelong avocation was sailing. He was a long time member of the Louisville Boat Club where he kept a succession of sailboats. John and Martha chartered numerous sailing vessels on the Gulf Coast, the Caribbean, and across Europe. They competed in Regattas on the inland waterways and on the Great Lakes. Over the years, they instilled the love of sailing and the water in their children, who accompanied them on many adventures.

Mr. Plamp had a long time interest in Bellarmine University and served on the Board of Overseers. He also served for many years as a Docent for the Frazier History Museum and as President of the 100th Infantry Division Association. He had a lifelong interest in the Boy Scouts. He served as a Senior Scout Master and still kept in touch with many of his Senior Scouts. Above all, his biggest attribute was that he was always a gentleman. Mr. Plamp was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Marjorie Plamp Nelson. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Martha Miles Plamp; son Roger Miles Plamp (Joan), daughters Diane Plamp Dorsey (Mark, deceased), and Marian Plamp Maxwell (Roger); as well as 6 grandchildren, Alex and Stuart Plamp Allyson Keen Bass, Meagan, Melissa and Jason Maxwell. Special thanks are due to Hosparus of Louisville and long-time caretakers Joe and Debra.

Visitation will be Tuesday, August 1st at Highlands Funeral Home on Taylorsville Rd from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held Wednesday August 2nd at 11:00 am at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hosparus of Louisville or St. Xavier High School.

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