Mass of Christian Burial for Thomas Patrick LaPlante, 22, Eagle Butte 10:00 AM Saturday, August 22, 2015 at All Saints Catholic Church in Eagle Butte. All night wake will begin Friday, August 21, 2015 at 5PM with a rosary at 7PM at the church. Procession meets at 4-mile junction at 4PM to the church. Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements.

Thomas Patrick LaPlante of Eagle Butte, SD, transitioned from this earthly life on Wednesday, August 13, 2015, due to a car accident that occurred south of Eagle Butte, SD. Thomas was from Eagle Butte, SD. He was born on February 21, 1993, to Sioux (Mark) Red Bear and Dough LaPlante.

Thomas attended school at Tiospaye Topa High School in LaPlante, SD, and graduated as Salutatorian in 2012. As a proud Thunder Hawk, Thomas was involved in a variety of activities and sports. Namely basketball and football. Thomas loved sports and loved to play. Thomas' coach was Mark LeBeau who taught him fundamentals, teamwork and discipline. Coming from a small school with a small team, Thomas looked up to Coach LeBeau who trained the players to play like brothers.

Thomas worked for Ted's Service in Ridgeview, SD. Thomas' relationship with Ted's Service extended far beyond being a hired hand, Thomas was considered a member of the family. Thomas lived with the Rousseau family and had his own bedroom during his employment. His valued service wit Ted's began in his high school years while attending school in LaPlante. he would stop in after school looking for something positive to do. Thomas was a strong kid and was eager to learn the tools of the trade. He didn't care what kind of work there was because he was so enthusiastic to learn; besides, he was fully capable and he knew it. At Ted's, they started him out with small jobs like mowing and sweeping the shop. He took the initiative in completing any task, if he knew something needed to get done he would do it and surprise them by saying, "I knew you were going to have me do that next so I already did it." His outstanding performance earned him trust and it wasn't long before he was doing major auto repair and going on wrecker calls. There was never a dull moment, Thomas would fill the room with positive energy. If someone was having a bad day Thomas wouldn't allow it, he would stand by their side and cheer them up. He eventually became one of the go-to-guys because he was dependable. He was proud to represent Ted's and they are proud to call him one of their own.

Thomas worked in Mandaree, ND, for Olander Construction in 2013. Thomas was a heavy weight champion ultimate fighter who held the title in 2012. Thomas fought in the Ring Wars cage as a heavy weight. Thomas also enjoyed playing darts with his step-dad, Mark Red Bear, and his friends at the Golden Rule Saloon. Thomas worked at Lakota Thrifty Mart and occasionally worked as Security for the Golden Rule Saloon and the Legendary Buffalo Chip in Sturgis SD, as well as helped at many brandings. Thomas enjoyed learning the carpentry trade with his step-dad Mark and he worked alongside of him when they shingled a roof in LaPlante, SD. Thomas also enjoyed hunting with Mark and telling hunting and fishing stories with his friends and uncles.

Thomas was a selfless man who was always taking care of his family members. He and his brother Tyler spent endless hours being the full-time care givers to their grandpa John Lind before John passed away. John and Thomas had a close relationship where they were always together keeping each other company. Thomas would carry his grandpa's oxygen tanks and push him in his wheelchair everywhere he wanted to go. They would travel to get lottery tickets or just to get out of the house. Thomas never complained about it, he just did it.

Left to cherish his memory is his close and dear grandmother, Wanda Lind; his parents, Mark and Sioux Red Bear and Doug LaPlante; his sister, Richi Kennedy; two brothers, Tyler and Douglas LaPlante; three nephews, Braxton, Dayson and Brylee Kennedy; three nieces, Whitney and Olivia LaPlante and Cairo Kennedy; his maternal great-grandmother, Vivian Traversie; his paternal grandparents, Lonny and Irma LaPlante; his uncles, Daniel Kelly and Lonny Jr.; his aunt, Sherry Red Elk; and many cousins.

Thomas joins his baby sister, Whitney Sioux; and his two grandfathers, Patrick Kennedy and John Lind; and his two good buddies, Jake and K.C. Longbrake, in heaven.

Casketbearers:

Tyler Kennedy
Douglas LaPlante
Merill Mitchell
Lance White Eyes
Payton Lawrence
Parker Ducheneaux
Caden Benson
Shilo Hollow Horn
Shelby Scott