James Paul Janulet, “Santa” or “Sunny Jim,” went home to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 31, 2021, at N.H.C. Healthcare of Bluffton, South Carolina.
Born to Gertrude Edna McLeod and Paul Frederick Janulet, November 28, 1938, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, he was raised in Pompano Beach, Florida, where his family worked in real estate and landscaping. James graduated from Pompano Beach High School, “The Beanpickers,” where he was a member of the Future Farmers of America. He is predeceased by two beloved sisters, Caroline Louise Janulet and Marilyn Grace Janulet Brody.
While early interests were in farming and law, he enlisted in the Army Reserves. He was to be stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and later received an honorable discharge.
He married Luisa Ciancio of San Vincenzo la Costa, Cosenza, Italy, and moved to Horse Shoe, North Carolina, where they raised their children and were members of Horse Shoe Baptist Church. Here, his brother, Robert, was a church deacon; his wife, Luisa, taught Sunday school; and his children, Eric and Pam, attended yearly Vacation Bible School, youth retreats, participated in youth group plays, and sang in adult and youth choirs.
James is survived by Luisa Janulet; their son, Eric Paul Janulet; daughter, Pamela Marie Janulet Mallette (Paloma); son-in-law, Richard Mallette; brother, Robert Frederick Janulet of North Carolina; niece, Lynn Janulet Plemmons of Missouri; niece, Rebecca Janulet Hand of North Carolina; and more generations of great nieces and nephews.
James was an expert automotive mechanic, dabbled in antiques, computer animation, and collected and reconstructed antique firearms and western holsters. He loved family, food, music, trivia, movies, cars, brahma bulls, horseback riding, and dogs, and had a healthy dose of humor. Psalm 23 was his favorite Bible verse.
Devoted to family genealogy, he recorded his family tree on whipplegenweb.org, and in 2021, his daughter certified his legacy as a direct descendant of Francis Cooke of The Mayflower Compact of 1620, with help from a distant cousin, a Mayflower Society representative in Beaufort, South Carolina, and the Mayflower Society of Plymouth, Massachusetts.
James recommitted his life to Jesus Christ in 2016, and enjoyed Christian ministry shows and gospel singers. He would love that everyone also commit or recommit their lives to Jesus as their true Lord and Savior. He recognized that Jesus will return soon for His faithful. Regardless of many increasing medical afflictions, Jim was an example of patience and good manners, while showing unconditional love with admirable sweetness. He often played the role of Santa, bringing joy to many at Christmas time.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held at Lowcountry Community Church, at 801 Buckwalter Parkway, Bluffton, South Carolina 29910, on November 16, at 2:00 p.m.
*All obituaries are submitted by family and friends of the deceased.
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