James Clarkin, affectionately known as "Jimmy" by his family and friends was an avid enthusiast of anything related to the water. He loved surfing, fishing, water skiing, boating, and scuba diving. James Reynolds Clarkin Jr., age 68, departed this earthly life unexpectedly from complications due to cardiac arrest on September 30, 2023.

Jimmy was born in Charleston, South Carolina on April 7, 1955, to his loving parents, James R. Clarkin Sr. and Jean Rike Clarkin. Jimmy was forever grateful to have been adopted by such devoted parents. As a family, Jimmy loved growing up in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, where they spent a lot of time outdoors camping and fishing. Jimmy was active in organized sports such as basketball, baseball, and football. He was a member of the Boy Scouts, earned his blackbelt in karate, was a self-taught guitarist and became a certified diver at age 14. One of his proudest accomplishments was earning the title of Captain as he received his Master Captain's License, the highest recognition by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Jimmy attended Christ our King Catholic School during his primary education. The Clarkin Family were active members of their church where Jimmy was an altar boy and member of the choir. He graduated from Moultrie High School in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. After high school, Jimmy furthered his diving education by becoming a PADI Master Scuba Diver, Dive Master, Master Diving Instructor, and Cavern Diving Specialist.

Jimmy and his wife, Kathy (KC), met while they were both working on the island of St. Croix, USVI. KC was an elementary school teacher and Jimmy worked for Caribbean Sea Adventures as a first mate on fishing vessels and trimaran sailboats. He was also a scuba instructor and dive specialist. KC and Jimmy married in 1982 and moved to Orlando, Florida. In Orlando, Jimmy was a marine aquarist at the Living Seas at Epcot for 25 years. He logged thousands of hours as a diver and cared for and studied a variety of marine animals. Jimmy continued his lifelong love of music by entertaining in both St. Croix and Orlando.
He was often mistaken for Jimmy Buffet as he looked and sounded just like him.

Jimmy and KC were blessed with two daughters, Jeana (33) and Liza (28). It was important for Jimmy to create his own family and being a "girl dad" was his dream come true. He took on the title of "Dad" to many, including Heather Stephens (33) and Sydney Meade (28) while also taking on the title of "Poppy" to their children. He adored his grandson, Liam Root (9). He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a lover of all family rescue pets and a guy that could fix, repair, build and design anything, especially school projects! He will be known for his sense of humor, work ethic and zest for life.

He was preceded in death by his parents James and Jean Clarkin, his daughter Angela Noelle Clarkin, and nephew James A. Clarkin. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Kathleen Cox Clarkin (Longwood, FL), daughters Jeana Nicole Clarkin (Orlando, FL), Elizabeth Delaney Clarkin (Raleigh, NC), sister Terry J. Clarkin, niece Megan T. Clarkin (John's Island, SC) and brother John Clarkin (Hollywood, SC).

A mass will be held at Annunciation Catholic Church, 1020 Montgomery Rd. in Altamonte Springs, FL on November 10, 2023 at 10am. Followed by a memorial reception at Highland Manor, 604 E. Main St. Apopka, FL.

If you cannot attend in person you can view Jimmy Clarkin's service at: https://www.youtube.com/live/agU1deizAmw?si=nxnejJQJXwlRnhBt

Donations to Quincy's Hope Canine Coalition can be made via check to 3507 Rosewood Cir. Lynn Haven, FL 32444 or Venmo@qhcc_dogs.

Donations to the Coral Restoration Foundation can be made via check to 89111 Overseas Hwy. Tavernier, FL 33070, or their website www.coralrestoration.org/donate .

Please be sure to indicate that your donation is in memory of Jimmy Clarkin.