MIAMI, Okla. —
Kenneth Gene Kemp Sr., 74, of Miami, Okla., went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 9, 2012. He was at home surrounded by family and friends.
Ken was born on Jan. 18, 1938, in Akron, Ohio, to the late Thomas and Amelia Kemp.
In 1980, he met and married his soul mate, Lynette Rains.
Ken was a 1956 graduate of Buchtel High School in Akron, Ohio. In 1960, he graduated from the University of Akron, where he was a scholarship track athlete, with a degree in Business Administration.
Ken was employed at the Akron YMCA from 1958 to 1960, where he was fitness instructor. Later in 1960, he was employed by BF Goodrich where he served for 23 years in various human resources roles with an emphasis on labor relations. In 1974, he was appointed the personnel manager of the Miami, Okla. plant and served in that capacity until the plant closing in 1986. Later than year, he became corporate director of human resources for TAMKO in Joplin, Mo. He retired in 2002, after a 44-year career.
Ken was an avid runner and his particular favorite was the Tulsa Run which he participated in on numerous occasions. He served as president of the Joplin Toastmasters. He served on the vestry and various committees at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Miami, as a service to his church family of over 32 years and to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Ken is survived by his loving and most caring wife, Lynette; his two sons, Kenneth Jr. and wife, Julie, of Arvada, Colo., and Randall, of Southlake, Texas; his daughter, Tamara Patterson and her husband, Don, of Miami; six grandchildren, Adam and his wife, Katie, Kelsey, Derek, Corey, Chloe and Justin; two great-grandchildren, Hallie and Carter; one sister, Shirley Kemp; and extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Raymond and Phillip; and one sister, Mary Dresser.
Ken will surely be missed, but not forgotten.
Memorial service will be held at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Miami, on Sunday, April 15, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Susan Connell, officiating. Interment will be in All Saints’ Good Shepherd Garden. Wake (visitation) for friends and family will be held on Saturday, April 14, at 4 to 6 p.m. at All Saints’ Episcopal Church Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to the All Saints’ Memorial Fund or the Alzheimer’s Association.
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