George Lee Kemper (90) of Greenup

George Lee Kemper, 90, of Greenup passed away the morning of Friday, August 25th, 2023 at Regional Hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana.

George was born on April 1, 1933 in rural Cumberland County, the son of George and Bertha (Doughty) Kemper. He served four years in the United States Navy aboard the USS Wisconsin BB-64 Iowa-class battleship during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning stateside, George (or Lee as many knew him), began to raise a family with his wife (Martha) and stepson (Ken), adding to their family a daughter Joy. Throughout his working life, George worked as a union laborer, owned and operated a Standard Oil gas station, and worked as a security guard among other vocations. One constant was his being in the Greenup area for all his life, except for his time in the service and less than a year in Tuscola. To those that knew him, George was quick with a joke, and not afraid to make a bad impression, as long as an impression was made. He would find enjoyment in all variety of games, with chess and poker being his favorites. In the last couple of years, he filled his free time with trips to the Hub Cap to play the video poker machines. He also enjoyed visiting with his great grandsons, Davis and Simon, as well as surveying the town in his unforgettably adorned side by side. George was raised in the Plum Grove church, not far from his Timothy home, but stopped attending for over 70 years prior to joining the same congregation on July 2nd, 2023 for a sermon. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion.

George was proceeded in death by his parents, his sisters: Daphena Owen, Donna Matteson, and Barbara Mauk, as well as his grandson Donald Kenneth Roley II, and his son in law Ken Roley.

He is survived by his stepson Kenneth (Peggy) Black, daughter Joy Roley, granddaughter Jessica (Buddy) Sumpter, grandson Jeremy (Diana) Black, grandson Justin (Laura) Roley, and great grandchildren, Davis Roley, Simon Roley, Julia Sumpter, Drew Sumpter, Cole Black, Austin Black and Blake Black.

A celebration of life ceremony is to be held at the Barkley Funeral Chapel in Greenup from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on August 31, 2023, with a short service by Greg Boldt to follow, along with military rites by the Cumberland County Veterans. Memorials may be made to the local VFW or American Legion chapters. Online condolences can be expressed by clicking here.