John I Carper

Virginia Beach This is final story that Jack leaves with us in the newspaper… John (Jack) Carper died Thursday March 19, 2009 at his home of congestive heart failure and cancer. He was 91. Jack was a lifelong journalist. He retired in 1983 from the Ledger Star. Previously he had worked for newspapers in Marion, Roanoke, and Richmond, VA, as well as in Orange and Long Beach, CA. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, the former Evelyn Taylor Smith of Salem, VA. Jack often referred to himself as "Mr. Lucky" for having such a great marriage. Also surviving are his son, Mark Carper of Winthrop, MA; his daughter, Catherine Carper Fultz of Claymont, DE; his grandsons Craig Ripski of Claymont, Evan Carper of Brookline, MA, Nathaniel Carper-Young of Winthrop, and his granddaughter, Allison Ripski of Claymont. He is also survived by three outstanding nephews, Bill Poehler of California, Robert Smith of Tallahassee, FL, and Dick Smith of Asheville, NC; three nieces, Joan Carper Fraser of Santa Rosa, CA, Ann Carper Lindberg of Cataumet, MA, and Dee Carper Roberts of Needham, MA, and by several great nephews and great nieces. Jack served with the Marines at the battle of Iwo Jima and during the occupation of Japan during World War II. In addition to his newspaper career, Jack headed news bureaus at Washington and Lee University (his alma mater), Virginia Military Institute, and Virginia Tech sports. He was president of the Virginia Beach Seniors Golf Club in 1992-1993, and he and his wife delivered Meals on Wheels for 14 years. A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 23, 2009 at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach at 12 noon. The Reverend Jim Ullian will preside. Burial will be at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. The family requests that contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or Heartland Hospice. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line at www.woodlawngroup.com. (U.S.M.C. Iwo Jima) Woodlawn Funeral Home 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk.