James Michael Berkin, 20, of Drayden, MD passed away suddenly at his residence on Sunday, May 25, 2014, from complications of diabetes and other health problems.

Born on June 19, 1993, in Bethesda, MD he was the much-loved son of Michael G. Berkin and Shirley Kay (Johnson) Berkin of Drayden, MD.

James graduated from Leonardtown High School in May 2011. He was an outstanding student at the College of Southern Maryland, where he enjoyed tutoring students and was a member of the student council. After CSM, James planned to transfer to a four year school and then to teach English in Japan. His ultimate goal was to change the world one day by becoming a doctor or choosing a similar career to help others.

Having lived in Maryland, California, Maine, and Japan, James loved to travel. He was quite interested in the Asian culture and had learned to speak and write in Japanese and Chinese. As a youth, James was in Scouts, played baseball and soccer, and was active in AWANA, having earned many achievement awards. He enjoyed practicing tae kwan do, yoga and reading anime. James was a kind-hearted person, and was very interested in volunteering in social causes that helped out the less fortunate. He is greatly loved and missed.

In addition to his parents, James is survived by his siblings, Amanda Rose Small (Daniel) of California, MD, Sarah Christine Berkin (Haider Chowdhury) of Washington, D.C., and Matthew Michael Berkin of Drayden, MD; his grandmothers, Ruth Nelson Johnson of Drayden, MD and Natalie Berkin of Doylestown Township, PA; and several uncles, aunts and cousins. He is preceded in death by his grandfathers, Philip Johnson and George M. Berkin.

Family will receive friends for James' Life Celebration on Friday, June 6, 2014 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. On Saturday, June 7, 2014, a visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Leonardtown Baptist Church, 23520 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD. A Funeral Service will be officiated by Pastor Adam Polk at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Chapter, MD, 825 Hammonds Ferry Road, Suite H, Linthicum MD 21090, in memory of James M. Berkin.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.