Joseph Lawson Laport, Jr.

Mr. Joseph “Joe” Lawson Laport Jr., 72, of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

Born on August 23, 1954, in Charleston, SC, he was the son of the late Joseph Laport Sr. and Shirley Laport (Pommer).

Joe was a one-of-a-kind man whose stubbornness, humor, and big heart made him unforgettable to the people who knew and loved him. He had a tendency of doing things his own way and was never afraid to challenge those around him—especially his beloved wife, Karen, whom he loved dearly and enjoyed giving a hard time. His jokes did not always land quite the way he intended, but they were always delivered with his unmistakable sense of humor and personality.

Joe had a deep love for the outdoors and found happiness in the simple things—fishing, boating, hunting, and spending time surrounded by nature. He also had a special place in his heart for his dogs, who were truly part of the family.

Joe proudly served his country for 20 years in the United States Air Force, a chapter of his life that allowed him to travel the world and experience places and cultures far beyond his hometown. His years of service were a meaningful part of the life he built and the stories he carried with him—including one of his favorites about scuba diving in Okinawa and the wonderful sights he saw beneath the water.

Above all else, Joe loved his family. He held a special bond with his mother, Shirley, and shared countless memories with his sisters, Sherron (Al) Oswald, Tammy (Donald) Roberts, his in-laws Donna (Rodney) Baker, the late Diane (Mike) Massey, and Lisa (Joaquin) Alvarez. He took immense pride in his children—Amanda (the late Christopher Gordon), Toshia (Ben) Guerra, Ryan (Becca) Gonzales, Robert (Lauren) Burtsell, Michael (Jen) Gonzales, and Justin (Lindsay) Gonzales —and cherished watching his family expand over the years.

His grandchildren—Mariah (Joe), Tyler (Alex), Makayla, Kameron, Cailey (Hunter), Nicholas, Joseph, Maleah, Grady, Aspen, and Miabella—were his absolute joy, and he was deeply excited about becoming a great-grandfather (a role he would have been truly great at). "He also leaves behind a host of cherished nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews."

To Karen, his mother, his sisters, his children, and his grandchildren, he was not simply Joseph Laport Jr.—he was daddy, papa, or Joey: stubborn, funny, loving, sometimes challenging, and completely irreplaceable.

His absence will leave an emptiness that cannot be filled, but his stories, his humor, his love of the outdoors, and the memories he created with the people he loved will live on in those fortunate enough to have known him.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a visitation at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 347 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412.  A funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM at the funeral home.  Burial will take place at 12:30 PM at Live Oak Memorial Gardens, 3093 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 347 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412, (843-614-8494).