Francis J. “Frank” LaPlante died of cancer, in his partner’s arms at his home in Bonham, Texas on his 45th birthday on June 28.

LaPlante was a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and had lived in the Dallas area for the past 24 years. He graduated from Dwinger High School in Fort Wayne in 1981, and from ITT technical college in Fort Wayne in 1984. He graduated with honors from the Art Institute of Dallas in 2003.

He worked most recently as an assistant chef at the Anatole Hotel, and had previously worked as an engineering specialist with Dallas Semiconductor.

LaPlante loved to travel and especially enjoyed visiting national parks and staying in bed-and-breakfast establishments.

He is survived by his partner, Chris Nichols of Bonham; his father, Francis J. LaPlante of Fort Wayne; his sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Bob Willis of Fort Wayne; his sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Jeff Aysse of Charleston, S.C., his partner’s parents, John and Alta Nichols of Bonham; and his nephew, David Nichols on Dallas.

A celebration of LaPlante’s life will be held Saturday, July 5, at 2 p.m. at his home, 314 East Second Street in Bonham.

The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.


James Norwood, 78, died June 29 in Lewisville.

Norwood was born Dec. 9, 1929 in Dallas, and later became one of the first Metropolitan Community Church ministers in North Texas. He was a commercial real estate broker for more than 43 years, and was much loved by his family at Master Realtors and his longtime friend, Eddie Ortega.

Visitation and graveside services were held Wednesday, July 2, at Grove Hill Memorial Park under the director of Grove Hill Funeral Home.




This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition July 4, 2008.