Joseph “Joe” LaPoint, Jr. was taken home to be with the Lord on May 27, 2018, at the age of 68, with loved ones by his side.
To most, he was best known as “Indian Joe”, or to his brothers in arms, as “Peppy”, but to his family he was better known as Son, Brother, Uncle, Husband, Dad, and Pappaw.
Joe was born on May 25, 1950 in Portland, Maine. On November 29, 1967, at the age of only 17 (he lied), he joined the United States Army, where he served in the Vietnam War, until recieving an honorable discharge on June 29, 1971. During his time of service he recieved three Purple Hearts, a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal, a Vietnam Cross of Gallantry W/ PALM, a Vietnam Campaign Medal W/ Device 60, one Overseas Bar, an Air Medal, and a Bronze Star W/V Device and OLC for his actions and bravery.
Joe spent most of his life thereafter as an avid musician. For many of those years he was the lead singer and bassist for the Randy Martin Band. He also had the opportunity to play alongside some famous musicians, including Steppenwolf and Johnny Cash, among others. There was rarely a time that you would find him without a guitar in his hand or standing behind a microphone sharing his voice with the crowds. Music was his passion. When he wasn’t singing or strumming his guitar, he enjoyed doing cross stitch, playing with his beloved dog, Hershey, and spending his time with family, most likely arguing with us that lobsters aren’t really red until you cook them, or two feet are called “feets”, or that there are two feets and two pedals in a car, to be used simultaniously, among many other things that we were ALWAYS wrong about. He would torture us starting in June by watching Christmas movies for the rest of the year and watching rerun after rerun of M*A*S*H. He had this uncanny ability to tell the Cinderella story backwards, that sounded mostly like he was speaking in a different language, but we understood. He would horribly cheat during every game we played and there are more “bunny stories” than we can even count. He always had a way to make us laugh.
He was the husband, best friend, and soul mate to his wife of 14 years, Cindy LaPoint of Tipton, IN, father to Joseph LaPoint III of Middletown, CT, Steven LaPoint (wife, Donita) of Daleville, IN, and Kara Kelly (husband, Jeremy) of Noblesville, IN, stepfather to Brent Stiner of Anderson, IN, and Amanda Henderson (husband, Billy) of Tipton, IN, grandfather to Calvin Lapoint, Shelby Lapoint, Ethan Lapoint, Trestin Manges, Trinity Smith, Luke Henderson, Logan Henderson, Cheyanne Bragg, and Korbin Rodgers, brother to Tina Fleming (husband, John) of Howland, ME, Bob Paradis (wife, Jessie) of Kennebunk, ME, and Alan LaPoint, Sr. (wife, Nancy) of Mossup, CT.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Paradis, his mother, Charlotte Ouellette, and brother, Raul Paradis.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Paradis, his mother, Charlotte Ouellette, and brother, Raul Paradis.
The love he held for his wife and family could be surpassed by no other. He absolutley adored his children and grandchildren and always cherished his time with them, rather it be giving them guitar lessons or teaching them how to sew, or just being the jokester that he was making them all laugh, mostly at highly innapropriate things. Joe lived his life his way, on his terms and he was a fighter every step of the way, but underneath that tough exterior was a man who would always do what he could to help those in need. He will long be remembered for his tenacious personality, his many sacrifices to both his country and his family, and he will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched. If he could give us all one last expression of goodbye, it would most definitely be “WANA WANA FUFU!”
There will be a Celebration of Life held at a later date. Please feel free to leave any stories, comments, or memories you have.
Michael Fleming says
See you when I get there Uncle Joe, I know there is a hell of a party going on upstairs today! Love you Brother
Alan laPoint says
Miss you Joe. We love you.Your brother Alan.
Bob Paradis says
Joe you will be missed..Even though we didnt get to see each other much through the years the memories will remain forever.when we were kids you were there to take our sides as we tried to navigate our way through childhood..You always were there with your stories and advice.The war came and you joined the army and came back a little different. Shot up and your outlook to life a little strange.I remember you teahing yourself to play the guitar and you could always sing and that let you escape the many bad memories you had..With you being gone there is one less person that not only shared my memories but lived them also You will always live in my heart and the memories will never be forgotten. I love you brother and we will meet again
Cindy says
Joe, I miss you so much. I never thought I would be saying good bye so soon.
You are pain free, the demons of Dementia are gone.
How do I go on without you, you were my rock, even though you weren’t able to protect me I knew in your heart you were.. Fly free I love you to the moon and back. I’ll see you on the other side.
LOVE YOU, CINDY
Shelley Fleming Wigglesworth says
Uncle Joe, Although I may not have shown it, and did not get to know you as well as I could have and should have, I have always loved you and I am extremely proud of you. You were respected and cared about by so many. Thank you for all that you gave in your life.
Gary & Lisa Fish says
I’ve known Joe since hs. He was my phone buddy for the last couple years, until the dementia set in. We called each other almost everyday. I had him laughing so much my wife could hear him in the background. He will be missed. My condolences to Cindy, Kara, Bob, Alan and family.
Sandra LaShure says
RIP Joe. Prayers for the family
Bonnie Evans says
Rest in peace Indian Joe….
Stella Harrison says
Rest in peace Uncle Indian Joe i so miss you already but know ur in a better place….. ill see you when i get there !!!!! Hugs and you are never forgotten 😇😇😇🤗🤗
Brandon Ridge says
You are missed wild man. I’m honored to have played music with you Joe. R. I. P. Prayers of strength and healing for your family.
Jayne Moore says
You earned a spot in my heart almost 30 years ago when I met you through Randy Martin Band. The silliness on stage always made for a great night. I am sad to hear of your passing. Fly high Indian Joe!! You will be missed but forever remembered.
Kara says
Soon we will be holding your Celebration of Life. I miss you more and more every day. I wish I had taken all the little moments to watch TV with you, watch Christmas movies, or just talk when I had the chance. You were the greatest dad I could’ve ever asked for and you’ve never failed to show me so much love. I don’t know how things continue day to day without you, your voice, your laughter or your smile that could light up a room. I wish I could have one more day with you but as the song goes, “it’d leave me wishing still for one more day with you.” I’ll always cherish the memories you left me for the rest of my days. I know you’re in a much better place, free of pain and your demons that you battled and I take so much comfort in that. My heart aches with your absence. I love you. I miss you. RIP Popsicle.
Cindy LaPoint says
Joe,
We had your Celebration of Life on Sunday, lots of your friends came out to honor you, Mike Harrison, Mike Sheppard, Randy Martin & Tommy Raquet came out to honor you. Delma Schares daughters Mary Pat & Sue drove out from Iowa, Terry & Angela came. I hope we showed everyone how much we loved you. I love you so much, I think of you daily and carry you in my heart always.
I love you, Cindy
Cindy LaPoint says
To the love of my life,
It’s been 1 year that you took your last breath. I was holding your hand when you passed on to be with Jesus.
My world has changed so much, I go through the days and try to cope with my feelings.
Daytimes I manage but once the door and blinds are shut and the sun goes down all my fears come to life. I leave all the lights on, barely sleep.
Kara is having a baby, you would be so proud of her. She is going to be a great mommy.
I love you, Joe,
Cindy