James "Jim" Pernini

Captain James Kanellos "Jim" Pernini, USN Ret., passed away on March 18, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Jim began his distinguished naval career as an ensign after graduating from Northwestern University in 1964. He served 30 years on active duty, including a year-long tour in Saigon. Primarily serving in the Naval Surface Force on amphibious ships, he commanded both the USS Sumter (LST-1181) and the USS El Paso (LKA-117). His personal decorations included the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with a gold star, and the Meritorious Service Medal with a gold star. He also earned master's degrees from Troy State University and the U.S. Naval War College. After retiring from the Navy, he spent ten years as a professor at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk. A proud "Gator Navy" man, Jim was known for his meticulous planning and for His love of the sea and his time in the Navy was only eclipsed by the love of his family. He met his wife and love of his life, Keren Ott, at Northwestern, and they shared 60 years of marriage. Together, they raised two children, Kathy and David, who have been married for over 30 years to their spouses, Steve Smith and Teresa Brazzel. He was a devoted grandfather to six grandchildren-Alex, Sean, Taylor, Shelby, Holley, and Aiden-and a proud great-grandfather to Noah and Griffin.
He was an incredible cook and loved nothing more than to enjoy a good meal around a table with family and friends, entertaining everyone with tales of his many travels and adventures in the Navy. He and his wife traveled the world together, enjoyed golf and bridge with friends. He was keenly interested in the world around him, a scholar of history, and he never stopped learning or growing. He was also a passionate sports fan, and a most devoted supporter of UVA athletics. He and his son David, Class of 90, spent many happy (and sometimes excruciating) hours following their ups and downs. For more than 30 years, he was a faithful church leader at his beloved Old Donation Episcopal Church, and he was most proud of helping to establish a Becoming Beloved Community in the parish focused on the work of racial reconciliation, justice, and healing. He supported the endowment of the Rachal Scholarship, named after an enslaved woman, owned by the church in the 1700s, that is awarded to a local student enrolling at Norfolk State each year on Juneteenth. In lieu of flowers, Jim wished donations in his name to go to the Rachal Scholarship at Old Donation Episcopal Church, 4449 N. Witchduck Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23455. Gifts can be made via check or through their online giving portal to Memorial Fund at https://www.osvhub.com/olddonation/giving/funds