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Jack Carper Obituary
Born in Huntington, W. Va., Captain Carper spent most of his life in Newport News before moving to Charleston, S.C., in 1999.
Captain Carper retired as a firefighter with the City of Newport News in 1989. He was the past president of IAFF Local 794, leading the organization for 36 years, past president of the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters, and was a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters. He had a true passion for his men and was instrumental in helping to pass the Heart and Lung Bill and the Widow's Benefits Bill. He also served his country honorably during World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
Jackie's family was a blessing in his life, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing and loved his dogs, Bennie and Corky.
Mr. Carper was preceded in death in 1997 by his beloved first wife of 49 years, Ingrid Marianne Carper.
He is survived by his loving wife, Ethel "Pat" Carper, of Charleston, S.C. He is also survived by daughter, Anne Girard and her husband, Terry; daughter, Barbara Bane and her husband, George, and son, J. Douglas Carper II, all of Newport News; and son, Scott Andrew Carper and wife, Theresa, of St. Petersburg, Fla. He leaves to cherish his memory seven grandchildren, Jason Tackaberry and his wife, Lori, Jeffrey Tackaberry and his fiancEe, Kelly, all of Michigan, Matthew Bane and his wife, Heidi, of Newport News, Ashley Swain and her husband, Rob, of Yorktown, Emma Carper and Jack D. Carper, III of Gloucester, Kyle Carper and Megan Krzak of Florida; and two great-grandchildren, Tyler Bane and Seth Tackaberry. Jackie was also expecting a great-granddaughter in December; his loving and devoted sister-in-law, Lilo Vogel, and niece, Helga Johnson, of Harrisonburg, Va.
Mr. Carper is also survived by his loving family in Charleston, S.C., including Bonnie and Billy Taylor, Eddie and Dena Brown and Helen and Jim Nazzaro; and all their children and grandchildren. Jack had a special place in his heart for his former daughters-in-law, Glenda Carper of Gloucester and Betty Steel of Florida.
The family would like to express their heart-felt thanks to Tiffany and Judy of Bon Secour Hospice and special caregivers, Tina and Maddy for all their kindness during Jack's illness. Their devoted care will be long remembered.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, at Weymouth Funeral Home. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at First Baptist Church of Newport News, 12716 Warwick Blvd., by the Rev. Clarence Hilling. Interment with Fire Department Honors will be in Peninsula Memorial Park, with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the IAFF Burn Foundation, 1750 New York Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20006, or to the Peninsula SPCA Humane Society, 523 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.
Arrangements are by Weymouth Funeral Home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jack Carper
Sepi "Dimples" Dinwiddie Prichard
November 30, 2007
To the Carper Family, My father, "Dick" Dinwiddie and Jack were good friends. He was at my Dad's funeral in July, 1994, and was a wonderful comfort to the entire family. He was one in a million and will be sincerely missed by all that knew him.
Joy Hall
October 25, 2007
Scotty, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Michael & Patricia Chilcott
October 25, 2007
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life’s routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Barbara Patrick
October 25, 2007
To my dear friend Annie, Terry and the Carper Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. He was a wonderful person, I was proud to have met him.
Kathy Schoeneweg
October 25, 2007
Dear Ann, Pat, and Family
My sympathy to all your family at this time. May all your wonderful memories help comfort you. Sincerely
Jack Lilienthal, Jr.
October 25, 2007
To Doug, Pat, and the entire Carper extended family--
I first met Jack as a young boy many, many years ago through my Dad, Jack Lilienthal, Sr. Their union work for the VPFF in the 50's and 60's stands out in my mind to this day.
I was honored to know him and the Carper family. Jack was a tireless worker on behalf of firefighters everywhere. Many today unknowingly benefit from his efforts.
He will be truly missed. On behalf of the entire Lilienthal family, please accept our heartfelt condolences and prayers.
Fraternally and sincerely,
J. R. Lilienthal, Jr. (Retired)
Past President, Suffolk IAFF Local 2801
The Staff of the Emergency Dept, Riverside Reg Med Ctr
October 24, 2007
Annie and the Carper Family, We send our heart felt condolences to the family. We will keep your family in our prayers.
Charlie & Bobbie Sammons
October 24, 2007
Our deepest sympathy to the entire
Carper family. Our thoughts and
prayers are with you.
Mathew Paust
October 24, 2007
Jack was a powerful voice for the Newport News firefighters for many years. His commitment to organized labor was unwavering. I will never forget the encouragement he gave the Peninsula Newspaper Guild in the 1980s by throwing the weight of his union behind our efforts to win a contract with the Daily Press. Jack stood tall and fought undaunted, always, for the little guy. He will live in our hearts as long as our hearts continue to beat. Rest in peace, my friend.
Suzanne Collier McKown
October 24, 2007
Dear Barbara and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I never had the pleasure of meeting your father, but reading all these entries tells me what a good and kind man he must have been.
Let your love and fond memories help you through this sad time.
Love to you and your family,
Tina Hawks Buchanan
October 24, 2007
Barbara, Ann, Doug, Scott and extended family,
I was so saddened to hear of your dad's passing. Jack was a man of integrity and truly ahead of his time. He led by example and was always more than willing to fight for the rights of every firefighter, whether it was for safer gear or survivor's rights. He was one of my father's and uncle's best friends in the NNFD and I'll always fondly recall the memories of him and dad serving as President and Vice President respectively of the IAFF Local 794. I'm certain they're reliving their glory days now in a much better place. My heartfelt sympathy to the whole family on the loss of a great man.
Steve,Lynn & Bradley Burcher
October 24, 2007
Barbara,George & Family, Sorry to here about loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Wayne & Barbara Kerlin
October 24, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Our fondest memories are of Jack and Ingrid years ago when we were part of the NN Fire Dept. family. May God comfort you in the days ahead.
Earl Evans
October 24, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Cindy Epling Sapienzo
October 24, 2007
To the Carper family,
I was truly sorry to learn of Jack's passing. He was such a kind man. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
ROBERT WAYNE LOAR
October 24, 2007
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Violet D'Ambra
October 24, 2007
Barbara & Family,
My deepest sympathies are with you guys. Love, Violet
Ron Smith
October 24, 2007
To the family may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
To my friend (Jack) I will miss you and your friendship.Captain Ron Smith Ret N.N.F.D. & Family.
mack keith mcmahon
October 24, 2007
jack was my mentor and i missed him from the time he left newport news. he done more for the men & women of the nnfd than anybody. he will never be forgoten and we'all will miss him dearly.
Vicki Swicegood Sterling
October 24, 2007
Doug and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your dad. He was well loved and we all will miss him. The Fire Dept and Local 794 is what it is today because of Jack. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
love,
Fran Bott
October 23, 2007
He was a fine man working tirelessly for what firefighters deserved. My deepest sympathy goes to the family in this time of loss.
John Porter
October 23, 2007
Jack was a giant of a man in the fire service. He was weel known at teh national, state and local level. I could recieve an honest answer from Jack (even if it was not what I was looking to find). He was one of my heros and icons. He will be missed by all that knnew him. Those firefighters that did not know him will benifit from his hard and dedicated work.
Mary Beth Colgan
October 23, 2007
Your family is in my thoughts & prayers. He will be missed here on earth but I'm sure that up in heaven he is entertaining everyone with his sense of humor & his stories...making his presence known. The times that I was blessed to spend with him will be held in my heart forever.
James Cross
October 23, 2007
Jack was a great man who dedicated his life to the fire service. He was a leading member of the state and local firefighter associations. Many times I counted on Jack to help the firefighters in Hampton with a problem (He was always there) James F. Cross local 2450 Hampton retired. He will be sadly missed by many.
October 23, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends.
Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue
Gloucester, Virginia
Nicole and Brian Cooke
October 23, 2007
Barbara, George, and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Your dad was such a great man and his spirit of kindness lives on in you and your children.
Thomas M. Simcoe
October 23, 2007
A highly remembered President of the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters.
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