James Leonard Conklin

James Conklin, 78, of Goose Creek, South Carolina passed away, Thursday, January 11, 2018. He was born on October 16, 1939 in, Wilmington, Ohio to Donald and Opal (Hurley) Conklin.

Jim and wife Joanne first met in Boston, MA back in 1961. He was serving in the US Navy, they dated for a short time, then he was transferred to another state. He asked her to marry him and first she told him he needed to talk to her mother for permission. He did just that on his knees, and they were married. They had their ups and downs, but always ended up good. They had three wonderful daughters, whom he loved to this day. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He served in the military for 31 years. He will truly be missed by all his family.

Jim enjoyed bowling on a league and with his daughters, Tina, Lisa, and Terri. He also enjoyed golfing and was quite handy fixing things around the home. He enjoyed going on cruises with his family and loved the food. He loved to bake pies and cook, his favorites being banana cream and coconut cream pies. He loved to watch football with the family, and loved to make fun of Joanne’s teams, the Boston Red Sox and Patriots. His favorite song was, “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” by Jackie Deshannon. He loved animals and had several dogs and cats that he enjoyed naming. He also loved calling squirrels Harvey and Harriet.

Survivors include his wife Joanne Conklin of Goose Creek, SC; daughters, Theresa Kroening of Chipley, FL, Lisa Hamons of Goose Creek, SC, and Tina Iliff of McKinney, TX; grandchildren, Tristin Kroll of Rochester, NY and Katelyn and Ryan Hamons; a great grandson, Zander Augustus Kroll of Rochester, NY; sister, Judith Wheeler of Pawcatuck, CT; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Gerald Conklin of GA.

The family will receive friends on Friday, January 19, 2018 from 1:00-2:00 PM at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, Goose Creek Chapel. The Celebration of Life Services will be held in the same location at 2:00PM. A burial will follow at Plantation Memorial Gardens, 2837-D Live Oak Drive, Moncks Corner, SC 29461.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to COPD Foundation Donations, 3300 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Miami, FL 33134 or to donate@copdfoundation.org.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted to www.mcalister-smith.com.
Arrangements entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, Goose Creek Chapel, 869 St. James Avenue Goose Creek, South Carolina, 29445, 843-553-1511.