WCF SECTION PRESS RELEASE #25-32
JOHN CHAPUT KK4LI IS A SILENT KEY
John Chaput KK4Li, became a Silent Key on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025 after a protracted cancer battle. Chaput was 63 years old at the time of his passing. Chaput is survived by his wife Cyndi, twin sons Evan Hunter Chaput and Jared Sean Chaput, grandson Jackson Lee Chaput, granddaughter Kelli Jo Chaput, daughter-in-law Kayla JoAnn Chaput, sister Marie Mills-Chaput, brother-in-law John Andrew “Andy” Spires, niece Jennifer “Jen” Fairfield, and nephew Phillip “Phil” Lloyd Mills, as well as countless other family members and friends.
Chaput got into amateur radio in the 1970’s, and tinkered with amateur radio equipment from that time, and was active in amateur radio for the rest of his life. Chaput was active in the Highlands County Amateur Radio Club and the West Central Florida Group, the owner/operators of the NI4CE Repeater System. Chaput assisted with the maintenance of the Highlands County Amateur Radio Club repeaters. Chaput also helped out a number of amateur radio clubs and individual amateur radio operators with tower climbing when they were in need as a service to the amateur radio community.
Chaput ran a television repair shop in Lake Placid and eventually got into the tower climbing business, mounting internet access points on towers for RV Parks, among other tower climbing.
Chaput also served as deacon for First Baptist Church of Lake Josephine and later as a leader for the youth and young adults at Leisure Lakes Baptist Church, John was an inspiration to all of those who encountered him. Never seeming to be without a smile, John could brighten any day and share the love of Jesus with any stranger without hesitation.
A celebration of life ceremony was held on Saturday August 16, 2025 in Lake Placid. For the full text of the obituary you may go to https://www.midfloridanewspapers.com/highlands_news-sun/obituaries/john-r-chaput/article_8f2e2f2d-04ea-4405-b1a1-dfd5bd145b11.html