Jack Kasparian

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Jack Kasparian

February 15, 2012

Commonwealth Journal The Commonwealth Journal Wed Feb 15, 2012, 06:49 PM EST

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Mr. Jack Joseph Kasparian, 86, of the Slate Branch Community is now in the presence of the Lord.

Jack had been ill for an extended period of time. He made his passage surrounded by his loving daughters.

Jack is survived by a son and three daughters, Jack Joseph Kasparian II of Pompano Beach, Fla., Linda Lee and John Hundley of the Slate Branch Community, and Sophie Sue Hall of Davie, Fla., and Harriet and Jeff McGowan, also of the Slate Branch Community.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and good friend Florence, and a son, Craig.

Jack was an auto mechanic in Fort Lauderdale for many years until his retirement; then he became a parts runner for several more years.

Jack was of the Baptist faith and a member of the Oak Hill Baptist Church where he attended as long as his health permitted. In his youth, he had a colorful history. He entered the United States Navy at age 17 during the period of World War II wanting to serve his country. While in the Navy, he was a Light Weight Boxer aboard his ship. Jack was stationed aboard the USS Indianapolis CA 35 the Heavy Naval Cruiser which was sunk July 30, 1945 in the Philippine Sea by a Japanese Submarine and was wounded during the explosions that sunk the ship. He was one of the 316 who survived out of a crew of 1,196, approximately 300 crew members went down with the ship. The remainder of those who survived the sinking were lost due to lack of life rafts, little or no food and shark infested waters. It was only by accident the survivors were found by a plane on routine patrol. Jack was wounded three times as his assignment was a gun crew captain aboard the ship. He was wounded in the Battles of the Marshall Islands, Saipan, and Guam. His ship was engaged in battles of the Gilbert, Marshall, Turks, Saipan, Mariana’s, and Tinian. The USS Indianapolis had just unloaded top secret parts for Atomic Bombs that were to be dropped on Japan when she was sunk. Jack was awarded 4 battle stars in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign and two more were awarded for Major Engagements, American Theatre Ribbon, American Defense Ribbon, Order of the Purple Heart, and two “E” for Excellence in gunnery

emblems.

Jack rarely talked about his years in the Navy but was a very proud American wanting to serve his county during World War II even going so far as not telling the truth about his age using a moustache to cover his youthfulness. Jack was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lauderhill, FL and also a lifetime member of the American Legion Post #0222, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Jack also had a love for racing cars, he drove sprint car no. 93, stock car racing, stunt driver, was Vice President of the Midwest Midget Racing Association, and member of the Mississippi Championship Circuit. Jack’s first love was for his family and his walk with God.

A celebration honoring the life of Jack Joseph Kasparian will be held in the chapel of Somerset Undertaking Company & Crematory on Friday, February 17, 2012 at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Gary Phelps officiating.

Visitation for Jack Joseph Kasparian will be Friday from 12 p.m. until time for services.

Burial will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery.

The family request that expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Gideon Bible Memorial Plan.

Condolences may be sent to the family @ www.somersetundertaking.com

Somerset Undertaking Company and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.