Brent Caplan

Alan Brent Caplan (Merchant and civic figure in Alexandria, Louisiana)
Born	February 7, 1964 Alexandria, Louisiana
Died	July 4, 2018 (aged 54) Alexandria, Louisiana Death cause: Brain cancer Resting place: Jewish Cemetery in Pineville
Political Party	Democrat
Spouse	Stacey Stepp Caplan Sons: A. Ben Caplan Sam L. Caplan Stepsons: Kyle, Connor, and Cole Debevec Parents: David and Norrine Bloomenstiel Caplan
Religion	Jewish

Alan Brent Caplan, known as Brent Caplan (February 7, 1964 – July 4, 2018), was a businessman and civic figurein his native Alexandria, Louisiana. He was affiliated with Caplan's, his family's clothing company.^[1]

Caplan was one of three sons of David Caplan and the former Norrine Bloomenstiel. He attended Scott M. Brame Junior High School and Bolton High School in Alexandria, from which he graduated in 1982. He then studied at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, from which he graduated in 1986 with a degree in business administration. He participated in the Rome studies program through Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. After LSU, he became the men's clothing buyer for Maison Blanche department store in Baton Rouge. Five years later in 1991, he returned to Alexandria to help run Caplan's, the business his great-grandfather, David Caplan (1872-1937), had founded a century earlier.^[1]

In 2007, he was the chairman of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce board of directors. For four years, he was a board member of the National Retail Foundation. He also served as president of the Downtown Alexandria Lions International and the board of the Rapides Symphony Orchestra. He was the chairman of the Central Louisiana Better Business Bureau and a board member of Christus Frances Cabrini Foundation, the Central Louisiana Community Foundation, and the Alexandria Housing Authority.^[2]

Caplan died in Alexandria of brain cancer. Services were held on July 8 in the sanctuary of the Congregation Gemiluth Chassodim at 2021 Turner St., Alexandria, of which he was formerly a member of the board of directors. Interment proceeded at the Jewish Cemetery in Pineville, Louisiana.^[1] Caplan's widow, the former Stacey Stepp, said, "We have both been humbled by the outpouring of love, support and prayers, and appreciate each and every call, text, meal and visit during this unfortunate journey." Former Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy called Caplan "one of my closest friends, and I'm still processing his loss. He had a love affair with life and friends and wit ... perhaps most importantly, he was a great father, son, brother, husband and counselor." Deborah Randolph, president of the chamber of commerce and widow of Roy's predecessor, former Mayor Ned Randolph, said that Caplan wanted to help make Alexandria "a place where his own children would want to live. He was a strong supporter of the revitalization of downtown Alexandria and was so pleased with each milestone reached. He cared so deeply about electing good people to public office. And he was a dear friend to Ned and me."^[2]