Tom Planchon

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.) John T. “Tom” Planchon, of Enterprise, Alabama passed away Saturday, December 5, 2015 at the Enterprise Medical Center following cardiac arrest. He was 67.

Graveside services with full military honors will be held at 12:00 noon Monday, December 14, 2015 at the Union Owsley Cemetery in Stella, Missouri with Ozark Funeral Home directing. Viewing and visitation will be at the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri beginning at 11:00 and continuing until 11:45.

Flowers will be accepted, or donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123; the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, National Headquarters Donations, 6520 North Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309-2130; or the St. John Catholic Church Building Fund, 123 Heath St, Enterprise, AL 36330.

Tom was born in Wichita, Kansas, February 12, 1948, to the late John Q. & Vella L. Planchon. He was a graduate of Anderson High School in 1966, in Anderson, Missouri. He graduated with a BS in Business Administration from Pittsburg State University in 1970, Pittsburg, Kansas, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He earned his masters degree from Webster University.

Tom served in the United States Army and retired after 28 years of service during which he earned a Meritorious Service Medal as well as other awards. His Army career included a combat tour in Vietnam from 1972 – 1973. After military retirement, he worked 11 years in the Enterprise City Schools Transportation Department. He and his wife, Luanne, formerly owned Plain 'n Fancy Gift Shop from 1992 - 2003.

In addition to his parents, a nephew, Johnathan James Vattilana also preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Luanne Planchon, of Enterprise, Alabama; his daughter, Cristin (Stephen) Bankson of Little Rock, Arkansas and their two children Hailee and Parker; his sister, Judy (Rudy) Vattilana of Wichita, Kansas; his brother, Pete (Diane) Planchon of Birmingham, AL; a niece, LeaAnn (Christian) McIllvain and her children, Johnathan Craig, Josslyn, and Katelyn of Wichita, KS.