WILMINGTON — Kenneth Brian Karp, age 66, passed away at his home in Wilmington, NC, on May 24th, surrounded by his family.
Born on April 10th, 1959, Kenny was the 5th of 7 children born to Hilda and Barney Karp in Hampton, Virginia. It was in Hampton where Kenny met and fell in love with his wife, Nina, after repairing her platform shoe at a disco in an attempt to keep her around just a little bit longer. Throughout their 42 years together, Ken was lovingly devoted to Nina and to making the subtle repairs that come with building a life together along with two children across half a dozen cities in nearly two dozen homes.
Kenny was so many things. He was handy around the house, a phenomenal cook, and an even better father. He was creative, goofy, hard-working, and bald, but most of all, he was an incredible friend. He lived by the motto, “Always treat your friends like family, and your family like friends.” He was the type of man who never sat down. If he was not working on the house, tinkering in the garage, or perfecting his golf game, you would find him with a friend…working on their house, tinkering in their garage, or laughing on the golf course together. To be in his presence was to feel important, uplifted, comfortable, and taken care of.
As his health deteriorated, and the lymphoma left him no other choice but to sit down, Kenny’s energy remained as infectious as ever and will continue to live on in those lucky enough to have experienced it. We trust that he is not resting, but puttering in peace, and continuing to serve his loved ones from the other side.
Kenny is preceded in death by his parents, Hilda and Bernard Karp, his sister Doreen Sarver, and brother Jimmy Karp.
He is survived by his wife, Nina, their two children, Nicole and Jordan, his daughter-in-law, Heather, and his two grandchildren, Ellie and Asher. He leaves behind 4 siblings: Rita Quinn, Billy Karp, Catherine Breske, and Barbara Karp, along with their families including 9 nieces and nephews, and 9 grand-nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
