Justin "Judd" Joseph Karl

Justin “Judd” Karl departed this life on December 31, 2024, in Hilton Head, SC at the age of 96. He leaves behind his beloved children Anne, Phil, Eileen and Mary along with their respective spouses Bid, Tricia, Lee and James. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren. Proud as he was of his children, Judd felt incredibly blessed by each of his cherished grandkids and delighted as his legacy grew with the births of his fourth generation!

Justin, the last surviving child of the late John Michael Karl Sr. and Marie Smith Karl, was predeceased by his three siblings, Philip, John Jr. (Jack) and Marie, one nephew and one niece. He is also survived by eight nieces and six nephews. 

Raised in Chester Heights, NY, Judd was a proud graduate of Blessed Sacrament High School ’46 and Iona College ’50, both in New Rochelle, NY. He served in the US Army. Upon discharge he was employed as an accountant at Union Carbide Corporation. In June 1953 he married Ruth Grattan, enjoying nearly 60 years together until her death in 2013. Shortly after their second child was born, Judd began law school at night at St. John’s University. Once admitted to the NYS Bar in 1958, he joined the legal department at Union Carbide.

During his New York years, Judd was active in his parish, St. Anthony of Padua in Silver Lake. He also ably served as Harrison School Board President for eight years, and was instrumental in centralizing the district, a distinct improvement for the students. 

In 1975, Judd took a huge leap, moving to Dallas, TX at Ruth’s urging to join the legal team at LTV Corp. as associate general counsel. While reluctant to leave New York where the couple had so many dear close friends, Judd admitted the move to Dallas proved a boon for him, Ruth and their family in so many ways professionally and socially. There they cultivated a whole new set of lovely friends and became Cowboys fans.

Upon retirement in 1991, Judd and Ruth moved to Sea Pines, Hilton Head, SC, finding a new set of good friends at the Sea Pines Country Club and on Wood Duck Road where they built their dream home on a lagoon. They enjoyed an active lifestyle of tennis and golf and shared the joys of beach life with their children and grandchildren over years of summers and holidays. Judd found bliss and frustration on the golf courses on the Island. Many a tale can be told by family and friends alike involving his commentaries and remedial advice on style, game pace and shot-making that Dad/Gramps/Judd offered, usually without a filter!

As his son Phil said at their Golden Anniversary party in 2003, Ruth and Judd’s values centered on faith, family and friends. Of extreme importance to Dad/Gramps was the belief that a good education was foundational to a person’s success in life. His service on the School Board reflected this as did his support for a Catholic education for his children. For the next generation, his precious grandchildren, Judd generously funded all their college tuitions. One of his requirements was a souvenir tee shirt from each institution. No one went to Notre Dame though which was his own unfulfilled dream.

Judd volunteered at the Lowcountry Legal Clinic whose mission is to represent the underserved residents on Hilton Head Island. As their medical issues began to increase, Ruth and Judd were content to be among their “WoodDucker” friends. With Ruth’s death, the charm of their home dimmed. In 2021, Judd moved to the TidePointe community and ended his days in their Broad Creek Care Center, comforted by the superb care and abundant kindnesses provided him. His family will remain ever grateful to each of those wonderful staff members.

A Funeral Mass for Justin will be celebrated at Holy Family Church, 24 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head, SC this summer on Monday, June 16, 2025, at 10 am.