The universe lost a little bit of light when Larry Kenneth "Kenny" Joplin left this world in the early morning of January 21, 2026, after a valiant battle with lioblastoma. Sandy, his beloved wife of 59 years and 45 minutes, and his three sons were by his side. He was 79 years old.
Kenny was born on September 26, 1946 in a two-bedroom cottage on Olden Street to parents Clyde and Hazel Joplin. He attended school in West Plains, Mo., where his peers elected him Student Body President, surely recognizing both his natural leadership and his ability to charm the pants off of anybody. In addition to student government, he excelled as a thespian, a tenor, a trumpet player and most infamously, as lead singer/rhythm guitar for the band "First Flight." He attended the University of Missouri-Columbia (briefly), where he continued his musical
pursuits, before transferring to Drury College in Springfield, Mo. In 1967, mere months after marrying Sandy, he answered his nation's call by joining the United States Army and deploying to Vietnam as a Military Policeman, where he patrolled the Dong Ni River, earning the Bronze Star Medal for "unhesitatingly volunteering for dangerous missions." Thanks to Joplin, Mo., native Col. Lee Sexton recognizing his last name, Specialist Four Joplin was detailed to Military Police Headquarters at Bien Hoa Air Base as a criminal investigator, where he fought the North Vietnamese Army insurgency during the Tet Offensive. Col. Sexton remained a part of the Joplin family's life until his passing. Based on his exceptional service record, Kenny was actively recruited by the FBI, but declined the opportunity so that he could return to his beloved West Plains. Upon returning from Vietnam and following a brief stint at the Presidio Military Reservation in San Francisco, Calif., Kenny and Sandy built their first dream house on a hill in the Wayhaven subdivision and set about raising their three boys, who never really learned to get along until the late '90s. While Sandy maintained relative discipline, Kenny struggled to keep a straight face and at church loved to make gestures to his boys from the choir loft, eliciting laughter, to the perpetual consternation of their mother. Kenny excelled at business, managing Joplin Bros. Mobile Homes with his father and uncles, while Sandy embarked on a successful career as a kindergarten and music teacher. In 1984, Kenny joined Gene Austin's Shield of Shelter insurance agency. Gene became a second father to Kenny, who went on to grow the agency into one of the largest in the company. He earned "Agent of the Year" in 1993. Gradually the three boys grew up, earning degrees at the University of Missouri-Columbia, fully a third of whom graduating with honors. Because of Kenny and Sandy's love and encouragement, the boys embarked on their chosen careers, and all three thrived. Meanwhile, Kenny poured his energy into the community, volunteering for the American Cancer Society, the Industrial Development Committee, and countless other organizations. Notably, he devoted 39 years of continuous service to Ozarks Healthcare, serving as chairman of the hospital board for many years until 'retiring' to the Ozarks Healthcare Foundation. Kenny felt it vitally important to grow our town's largest employer and to protect its independence from corporate healthcare. He advocated strongly for rural hospitals with the American Hospital Association in Washington, DC, where his diplomacy and business acumen were on full display. In 1998, Kenny was selected the West Plains Chamber of Commerce "Citizen of the Year." In 2023, the City of West Plains and Ozarks Healthcare unveiled "Ken Joplin Drive." In 2014, Kenny retired from Shelter Insurance after almost 30 years as an Agent, devoting his time and energy to being a grandfather, spending time with his family and friends and pursuing his myriad hobbies, which included fly fishing; hunting ducks, quail and pheasant; collecting pipes, fountain pens and miscellaneous hats; traveling; music; pool-hustling; and littering the house with all manner of electronic gear, including an impressive collection of obsolete charging cables. He met his illness in late 2023 with the same enthusiasm for living he brought to each and every endeavor. His spirit was indomitable, and you just couldn't get him to complain, a trait that he did NOT pass onto his boys. He squeezed every drop out of life, friendship and fellowship, to the very end.
Kenny never met a stranger. His smile, handshake, outsized greetings and hugs were always heartfelt, and are thus legendary. As one friend just wrote: "I never talked to your dad without him making me feel I was the most important person there. That is a special quality."
It is.
Another wrote: "My friend, Ken Joplin, transitioned to a 'Better Place' this morning. Ken was familiar with better places; his presence made everywhere he went better."
He was preceded in death by parents, Clyde E. and Hazel I. Joplin; sister S. Geneta Bryson; brother-in-law Boyd E. Bryson; and sister-in-law Jane Holroyd.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra J. Henderson-Joplin, sons, Benjamin A. Joplin, Esq. (Melinda), Dr. Christopher A. Joplin (Joanne), and Col. (Ret.) Samuel K. Joplin (Tara); granddaughters, Madeline Joplin, Elizabeth Joplin, and Anna Joplin; sister, Arleta Joplin; sister-in-law, Virginia Henderson; nephew, Brent Bryson; in-laws, Bob and Amber Trautman; nephew, Clay Trautman, niece, Cara Trautman; and just too many old friends to mention in one setting.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the caregivers at Ozarks Healthcare, CoxHealth, Siteman Cancer Center, the Veterans Administration, Addus Homecare, and Hospice Compassus.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Funeral services at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. There will be a Celebration of Life service beginning at 6:00 p.m., at the Historic Post Office.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ozarks Healthcare Foundation, and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri.