James William Karabin

Jim was born on July 6, 1937, in Ford City, Pennsylvania, to Joseph Karabin and Nellie (Percival) Karabin. When he was 7, his mother moved him and his older brother to Kokomo, Indiana, where he spent the majority of his early life. After finishing at Kokomo High School, Jim briefly worked for Cuneo Press as a pressman before he enlisted in the United States Army in 1956. While in the Army, he was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, MO., Fort Carson, CO and Northern Italy. Jim's fondest memories of his time in the military were those spent in Italy where he learned to snow ski and enjoy true, authentic Italian Cuisine.

After his military service, Jim returned to work at Cuneo Press until leaving just before they closed in 1979. Jim then moved to Galveston, Indiana where he owned Johnson's Tavern for several years. Jim's next move was to Evansville, Indiana where he worked for the Evansville Courier and Press until his retirement in 1999. Jim relocated to Greenville, SC in late 2019 where he resided until his passing on May 13, 2026.

He is survived by his loving daughter, Kristi (Karabin) Cummins and her husband Eddie Cummins II; his son, Erik Karabin and his wife Gloria. He was a proud grandfather to Whitney Lawrence, Eddie Cummins III, Jacob Karabin, and Lindsey Karabin.

Jim will be most remembered for his tremendous warmth and outgoing personality, especially when around a large group of family and friends. Those moments were among his greatest joys.

He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him.

There will be a graveside service for Jim on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 1pm at Crown Point Cemetery, 1101 E. Sycamore St., Kokomo.