James Kilpatrick Obituary

James Claude Kilpatrick MT. PLEASANT - James Claude Kilpatrick, 92, of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at Roper Cottages in Mt. Pleasant. Jim was born November 09, 1930, in Montgomery, AL, son of the late, James C. Kilpatrick, Sr. and Ruth Brooks Kilpatrick. He is survived by his wife, Paula Kornahrens Kilpatrick; his son, William J. Kilpatrick (Sarah); step-children, Lauren C. Gibson (Mark), Dac Cantley (Nica), and Seth Cantley (Rebecca). He was predeceased by his sister Joan Moore. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Emily R. Hairfield (Benjy), Ashley R. Strange (Paul), Harley Cantrell, Claire, Davis, and Lydia Gibson; 3 great-grandchildren, Taylor Katherine Strange, Hudson Lane Strange, and McKenna Grace Hairfield; nephews, Andy Moore (Pam) and his child, Drew Moore (Sarah), and Eric Moore (Katharine) and his children, Kelsey and Madeline Moore. Jim grew up in downtown Charleston and graduated from The High School of Charleston and then Clemson College in 1953 with a degree in Chemical Engineering and then served in the US Army at Fort Greeley, Alaska, before honorably being discharged. He then began his federal civil service career at the Charleston Naval Shipyard later transferring to Subic Bay in the Philippines as Deputy Design Superintendent for 2 years where he traveled extensively performing ship checks during the Vietnam War. Shortly after his return to Charleston, SC, he transferred to Southern Division Naval Facilities Engineering Command in Charleston working in the jet engine test cell branch, traveling extensively around the world inspecting and evaluating jet engine test cells where he was considered an expert. Upon his retirement after 30 years of service, he worked for the City of Isle of Palms as a building inspector after Hurricane Hugo in 1989 for a number of years. He was a life member of the James Island Yacht Club and a member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church. Jim was a legendary DIYer when it came to fixing anything including numerous cars, boats, jet skis, weed eaters, appliances, and home renovation projects and loved a challenge. One of his boats was aptly named "Jim's Deal". In his retirement he also enjoyed, Saturday morning garage sales, fishing, boating, shrimping, and crabbing and was known for his legendary fresh crab cakes and oyster dressing. He will always be remembered for his willingness to help people, DIY knowledge, funny wit, southern drawl, and love for his family. He will be sorely missed by his family and many friends. The family would like to thank Roper Hospice Cottage, Mt. Pleasant and Benton House of West Ashley for their care and compassion and especially Jesse Nix. Visitation will be at 11:00 am on 24 February 2023 with a service following at 12:00 noon at St. Mathews Lutheran Church, 405 King Street, Charleston, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jim's name may be made to St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 405 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403 or Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Road Pointe Dr., Tampa, FL 33607. Arrangements are being handled by Charleston Cremation Center. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting their website at https://www.charlestoncremationcenter.com/tributes. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston