Kenneth L. Sooy, 82, of LaGrange, passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, July 28, 2024 after a courageous 4 year battle with IPF. He was born on February 25, 1942 in Lodi, Ohio to parents Lawrence and Edna (nee: Lottman) Sooy. Ken graduated as the first class president of Keystone High School in 1960 (Prior LaGrange High) as an honor student. He participated in many clubs and organizations at LaGrange and Keystone High. Ken played three varsity sports: football, baseball, and basketball; earning 7 varsity letters and two first-team all conference titles playing defense in football. Ken was employed at American Standard / Tappan Air Conditioning for over 20 years and was part owner of LaGrange's Colonial Cabinets prior to retiring in 2019.

He was a very hard worker and enjoyed helping others with their projects and tinkering in his backyard workshop. He was "DIY" before there was a "DIY." In the community, Ken participated in the Lion's Club for many years and was instrumental in the building of their clubhouse. After being on the Village Council for two years, he served as Mayor of LaGrange from 1980-1995. He assisted in the building of the old football facility on Liberty Street and in creating Martin's Field. He was also part of the driving force behind the idea of Community Park and in bringing the Elyria Public Library to LaGrange. At Keystone High School, he served on many levy and strategic planning committees and donated time/labor for the high school concession stand, basketball score table, trophy case, and KATS Hall of Fame display. Ken was inducted into the Keystone Athletic Team Supporters (KATS) Hall of Fame in 2014. He served as the KHS basketball scorekeeper from 1996-2018 and is the current vice president of the LaGrange/Keystone Alumni Association.

Ken greatly enjoyed spending time with his family including dinners out with wife, Jan, shopping with daughter, Kim, working on projects with daughter, Amy, and watching sports with son, Scott. He also found much pleasure in cheering for his grandsons as they played various sports, talking to his brothers, nieces and nephews on the phone, hanging out with his daughter/son-in-laws, and spending time with his cat, "Scooter." Ken was outgoing, friendly, and a walking encyclopedia of LaGrange/Keystone history. Ken was a big sports enthusiast, rooting for OSU, Browns, Cavs, and Indians. Of course, little brought more pleasure to "MR. KEYSTONE" than cheering on all KHS teams, especially the many years he served as the basketball score-keeper and sitting in the baseball team's home dugout as their biggest fan! Rarely did you see Ken wearing something other than a purple Keystone t-shirt and hat!

The family would like to thank Ken's caring nurses and the people of LaGrange Pharmacy for improving Ken's quality of life this last year and a half. In addition they would like to thank the many, many LaGrange/ Keystone community/staff who took time over the last few years to call, visit, offer help with equipment, and walk over and shake Ken's hand and say, "Hello." He loved the people of Wildcat country, and he felt your love back.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Jan (nee: Chorak) Sooy; brothers, Keith Sooy (Pat), Tom Sooy (Trish); children, Kim Jorgensen (John), Amy Fitzgerald (Bert), Scott Sooy (Maria); individuals he considered as his own children, Jim Piazza (Debbie), Juliana Gusmaó (foreign exchange student from Brazil), Justin Ramsey (Tammy); grandchildren, Drew Fitzgerald (Ashley), Troy Piazza (Brianna and son, Anthony), Collin Fitzgerald, Blake Haselberger; many nieces and nephews, and his beloved cat, "Scooter." He is preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Bertha Sooy; sister, Phyllis (Sooy) Webb; brother-in-law, Jim Webb; mother and father-in-law, George and Lois Chorak.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 from 11 a.m. until the time of memorial service at 2 p.m. at the LaGrange Municipal Building 301 Liberty Street in LaGrange. Please wear your Keystone apparel! A private burial at River Road Cemetery in LaGrange Township will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following: Keystone Athletic Team Supporters (KATS) P.O. Box 744 LaGrange, Ohio 44050 or LaGrange/Keystone Alumni Association 215 Forest Street Wellington, Ohio 44090.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.laubenthalmercado.com. Arrangements entrusted to Laubenthal Mercado Funeral Home in Elyria.