Mike Tarpinian

Mike Tarpinian, 86, passed away at home on October 5 under the care of hospice following a long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his wife and children. Mike was born to Garabed and Aghavnie Tarpinian on November 11, 1927 at Trinity Hospital in Jamestown. He was baptized at age two at the Armenian Orthodox Church, Chicago, IL. After graduating from Jamestown High School in 1945 he joined the US Marine Corp and following his discharge attended Jamestown College. Mike worked for two years at Gambles in Jamestown and Fergus Falls and then hired out on the Northern Pacific Railroad as a brakeman. He was conductor on freight and Amtrak for 44 years, retiring in June 1993. On October 4, 1953 Mike married Jacquelyn Wangrud Perkins at First Presbyterian Church (now United Presbyterian) in Jamestown. As a member of United Presbyterian church he served as deacon and Stephen Minister. He was also a member of The American Legion and a life member of Jamestown Elks Lodge 995. Mike's life was his family and work. He enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, whist, dominos, reading books and automobile magazines, and over the latest years he spent many hours assembling 2,000-3,000 piece Legos. Mike and Jackie traveled extensively after his retirement.

Mike is survived by his wife Jackie; daughter Jodi (Bruce Shealy) Tarpinian and her children Lisa (Al) Curry, Bert van der Meer, all of Atlanta, and Ben (Barbie) Bradley of Colorado Springs; daughter Lori (Rick) Lee and their children Matt, Nick (Heidi), all of Williston, and Chris of Bismarck; son Michael C. (Kellie Tanous) Tarpinian of Colorado Springs and his children Michael J. and Tabitha, of Windsor, CO; brother Grant (Sue) Tarpinian of Stoughton, WI; sister Betty (Don) Tarman of Alta Loma, CA; nephews Grant, Tim, Scott, Gary and Kirk, and niece Andrea. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren Isiah, Brady, Giselle, Preston, Ethan, MacKenzie and Michael D. Mike was proud of his Armenian heritage and maintained friendships with the close knit Armenian neighbors he grew up with in Jamestown.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his niece Jennifer Tarpinian.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Stutsman County Relay for Life, Jamestown Regional Medical Center Hospice, or United Presbyterian Church of Jamestown Memorial Fund.

Funeral Service: 2:00 PM, Thursday, October 9, 2014 at United Presbyterian Church, Jamestown, ND with Rev. Rick Raum and Bill Weispfenning, officiating.

Visitation: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Wednesday, October 8 at Eddy Funeral Chapel.

Prayer Service: 7:00 PM, Wednesday, October 8 at Eddy Funeral Chapel.

Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Online guest book: www.eddyfuneralhome.com