Obituaries

James ‘Daniel’ Kipper, age 45, of Hampton and Cape Town, South Africa, passed away surrounded by family and friends on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Daniel was born on March 25, 1980, in Raleigh, North Carolina, and grew up in Newport News. He graduated from Warwick High School in 1999 and earned an associate’s degree in social work from Virginia Peninsula Community College in 2022.

Daniel loved music. He had the voice of an angel and could play any instrument you put in front of him. He spent many years performing and directing music at First Friends Church and Youth Challenge/Faith Recovery. He lived and worked at Youth Challenge/Faith Recovery for many years, where he is still remembered for the meals he would cook and the jokes he would crack. He was also pursuing a degree in drug and alcohol counseling at Liberty University.

Daniel loved family. He was never happier than when surrounded by loved ones, listening to music, or watching a movie. He loved to sing karaoke, especially with his brother, David. He loved the beach, especially the Outer Banks. He was funny and smart, and he had a heart of gold. He was always cracking jokes and making people laugh.

Daniel was a fighter, and he was strong as hell. He battled with his addiction for 30 years. He fought it as hard as he could, and he helped countless others fight theirs. He had a beautiful soul. He believed in love; you could feel it when he sang. He touched every life he entered, and he will be so very, very missed. The Kipper boys are finally reunited; Dan and Dave ride again.

Daniel is survived by his Wife, Joey; Son, Damien; Mother, Deborah Johnson Hess; Father, James (Linda) Kipper; Sisters, Becky (Alex) Kipper, Lauren LaFromboise, and Danielle Mazzei; Brothers, Nottie Laws, Tommy Vozikis, and Nick Holt; Niece, Kaylei Kipper; Uncles, Bobby (Terri) Kipper and Alan (Ann) Johnson; Aunts, Amanda (Keith) Smith and Judy Moss; numerous Cousins; and countless Friends. Preceding him in death were his Grandparents, Alfred and Mary Kipper, and Clyde and Ruth Johnson; and his Brother, SSG David Joseph Kipper.

A memorial service for Daniel will be held on Wednesday, February 4, at 6 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home in Newport News, with a visitation to follow immediately after until 7:30 p.m. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Daniel’s name to Faith Recovery at https://faithrecoveryhope.org/donate/.