James Karpinen

Mr. James John Karpinen, 93, of Walterboro, passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at his residence. He was the husband of the late Hazel Johnson Karpinen.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, Friday, January 6, 2017 at The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Home, Walterboro Chapel. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow at 2:30 pm at Holy Cross Cemetery, 604 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston.

Born November 13, 1923 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was a son of the late Eric Karpinen and Anna Drzericka Karpinen. Mr. Karpinen served his country in the United States Navy, retiring after 20 years. He served in World War II and well as the Korean War. After retiring from the Navy, he went to work for the Charleston Naval Shipyard where he fueled nuclear submarines and retired as Foreman of Shop 38. If there was ever a man you would want to emulate then it would be him. He was a man of strong morals, and doing the right thing by others came so natural to him. He didn’t go through this life full of complaints but rather finding the good in all things; to him each and every day was a “good day”. He always welcomed you with a smile and for those while knew him he was a kind, honorable, and selfless man. He loved his Lord, his family, and his dogs with every fiber of his heart, body and soul. He is gone from this life but to eternal life with Christ and may his love for us continue to impact us each and every day.

Surviving are: his children, Charlotte Ann Collins of Myrtle Beach, James Michael Karpinen of Walterboro, and Kathy Lynn Karpinen of Loris; brother, Robert “Bob” Karpinen of Florida; grandchildren, Chris Collins (Beth), Jaime Hayes (Chad), Melanie Holmes, Shane Karpinen (Stacey), John Karpinen, Chad Bryant (Kelleigh), Clay Bryant, and Yvonne Fowler Johnson (Jess); and 13 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Yvette Fowler; and a sister, Velma Boyd.

ARRANGEMENTS BY: THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro; 843.538.5408. Visit our online registry at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.