Canon
John Hamilton “Jack” Plimpton (1931 - February 12, 2016) was the longtime executive director of diocesan HIV/AIDS ministries.
Partner Robert "Bob" Kettlehack
Queer
Places:
Cathedral Center of Saint Paul Columbarium
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA
Canon
John Hamilton “Jack” Plimpton (1931 - February 12, 2016) was the longtime executive director of diocesan HIV/AIDS ministries.
During Plimpton's more than 25 years of active diocesan ministry, he founded Project New Hope affordable housing complexes for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. He began his diocesan work as executive director of the Bishop's Commission on AIDS Ministries by appointment of Bishop Frederick H. Borsch after a 1988 grant made funding available for this outreach that had begun in 1986 during the tenure of Bishop Suffragan Oliver B. Garver, Jr. Plimpton's appointment came shortly after the death of his life partner, the Rev. Robert "Bob" Kettlehack, who was at the time said to be the first Episcopal priest of the diocese to live openly with his HIV/AIDS diagnosis. In recognition of Plimpton's longstanding and dedicated service, Bishop Bruno named him to the diocesan Order of Angels in 2007. Plimpton brought to his diocesan post some 20 years experience as an assistant superintendent, administrator and educator in the Los Angeles Unified School District, serving mainly in the Division of Adult and Career Education, within which he was principal of North Hollywood Community Adult School. Among other achievements was his work in founding the Los Angeles Performing Arts Academy, a project in which he enlisted advice and support of close friend and late actress Jean Stapleton.
A Chicago native, John Hamilton Plimpton was educated at the University of Chicago, earning a doctorate in education. He began his teaching career as a graduate of Northern Illinois University and became principal of the University of Chicago Lab School. He moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s with the encouragement of an aunt who lived locally.
Jack Plimpton died on Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, in Los Angeles after entering hospice care. He was 85 and had been suffering from congestive heart failure. Interment of ashes was in the Cathedral Center columbarium.
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