Kenneth Ewell Conklin

LADY'S ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA - Kenneth Ewell Conklin passed away quietly in his home on Sunday evening, September 2, 2012.  He was born in Brooklyn, New York on February 28, 1937 to Warren H. & Christina Conklin. His brother Warren Conklin predeceased him.  Ken is survived by his sister Georgia Riordan, her husband Bill and brother Clark Conklin; and his children and grandchildren: His son Mark Conklin, fiancée Diane Scheirer and his adult children, Jonathan, Jacob and Kristy Conklin; his daughter Leslie Schoemaker, her husband Mark and their adult children Matthew and Luke Schoemaker; and his daughter Donna Casey, her husband Joseph and their adult children Erica Casey, Amanda Eager and her husband Coty.  He had a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy, with multiple assignments in Vietnam as a Seabee Corpsman (U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Fifty-Eight), and took full retirement as a Chief Petty Officer in 1974. His second career was with Digital Equipment Corporation as a Logistics Manager working with United States, Europe and Far East Asia computer installations. Having had duty assignments at Parris Island, he returned to Beaufort and resided on Lady's Island for over 20 years following his retirement from DEC.  Ken was the embodiment of the Seabees Motto, "Can Do". He was the driving force in the creation of the NMCB-58 Association, and served as its Chairman for its first two years, 2004-2006. He also provided leadership assistance to the World Trade Organization and Asian Marketing Group. Always busy, Ken was an avid collector and hobbyist. He restored and repaired rods & reels, clocks, watches and almost anything with moving parts, most often as a favor to anyone with a broken item. A generous man who helped people privately, Ken Conklin had a strong personality, a quick wit and a ready smile for everyone he met.  The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o'clock Thursday at Copeland Funeral Service - One Copeland Drive. The funeral service, with full military honors will held at 10 o'clock Friday morning at the graveside, Beaufort National Cemetery. Remembrances: Wounded Warrior Transition Training Academy (Ft. Stewart, Georgia) in memory of Kenneth Conklin - Post Office Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517.