Henry Joseph (Hank) Klimp

Henry Joseph (Hank) Klimp died after an extended illness at his home on Saint Simons Island, Georgia, Friday September 2nd. A celebration of life service will be held 11 am. Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at St. James Lutheran Church, 2229 Starling Street, Brunswick, GA with Pastor John Anderson officiating. Interment will follow the service in Palmetto Cemetery with military honors.

Visitation will be held Tuesday September 6, 2011 from 6 pm. – 8 pm. at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home in Brunswick, GA

Mr. Klimp was born at Balboa, Panama Canal Zone on July 15, 1923 to George and Lidia Klimp. He is preceded in death by his parents and his two brothers; Walter and Charles.

Mr. Klimp has been a resident of Brunswick and St Simons since arriving from the War in the Pacific in 1946 to Naval Air Station Glynco, Ga. He enlisted in the Marines in August of 1942; trained at Parris Island and then became one of the first members of the newly formed Third Marine Division. While serving in the Pacific for 26 months, he trained in New Zealand, and then relieved the First Marine Division on Guadalcanal. He then saw combat in Bougainville, followed by support in Saipan and The Tinian Islands. His unit saw combat in Guam followed by his final Pacific action seen on the beaches of Iwo Jima. He fought on the island of Iwo Jima for 30 days.

After serving in the Marines Mr. Klimp went to work for the U. S. Civil Service and also joined the Georgia National Guard. He had a job change in 1949 and began working for Hercules, Inc. and retired from the same after 39 years of service. Mr. Klimp was an active member of St James Lutheran Church since 1946.

Mr. Klimp is survived by his wife of 65 years, Clara (Larsen) and their three children; Lydia Richard (Wayne), Debbie Dineen (Frank) and Paul (Lynn Woodward). Mr. Klimp is also survived by eight grandchildren; Catherine Maybank (Steve), Angela Dineen, Debbie Dineen, Jennifer Dineen, Lt. JG Mark Richard, Dalton Klimp, Frank Dineen, Henry Dineen; two great grandchildren Anna Maybank and Lucas Maybank.

Family request in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the St. James Lutheran Church, 2229 Starling St., Brunswick, GA 31520

Arrangements have been entrusted to Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home and Oglethorpe Crematorium in Brunswick, GA www.edomillerandsons.com