Obituary of Thomas Kemp Thomas “Tom” Kemp, age 81, passed away with his family by his side on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at his home after a courageous six year battle with ALS. Tom was born June 17, 1937 in Joliet to Arthur and Ina Kemp. Tom grew up in the Joliet area and graduated from Minooka High School in 1955.
He enlisted in the Marine Corp in 1957. He was a member of the Marine Corp Band and marched in the Rose Bowl Parade, proudly serving as a Marine through 1960. Tom then enlisted in the Air Force in 1963 and served through 1968.
He was a proud Vietnam veteran. Tom married his loving wife, Margie, on August 24, 1968 in Berea, Kentucky. They raised their four children in the Channahon/Minooka area.
He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Lewis University and did post-graduate work at the University of Illinois-Chicago Circle Campus. Tom retired from the State of Illinois as an auditor. He served on the boards for Channahon Township, Channahon School District, and Channahon Baseball.
He was also a Lectern at St. Mary’s in Minooka and was a volunteer at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Joliet Catholic Academy. He was a loyal parishioner of St. Ann’s Catholic Church. Tom enjoyed traveling with Margie to historic places, watching games with his children, and reading.
He was an avid Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Boston Red Sox, and Joliet Catholic Hilltopper fan. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff at Joliet Area Community Hospice, especially Cynthia, Allison, and Laura; as well as his dedicated CNA, Trina, for their great care and compassion during this time. Tom is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Margaret “Margie” (Jones); his adoring children, Bart (Regina) Kemp, Kathy (Mike) Trizna, Becky (Matt) Robbins, and Colin Kemp (Gina Hoessler).
He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Tommy and Andrew Kemp and Margaret Robbins. Also surviving are his brother-in-laws, Randy Jones, Bruce (Mel) Jones, and Bervin Jones; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Ina Kemp; his brother, Jim Kemp (2006); his brother-in-law, Steve Jones (2018); and his mother and father-in-law, George and Nina Mae Jones.
Funeral Services for Thomas Kemp will be held on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 10:00 a.m from the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home 3200 Black at (Essington) Rds. , Joliet to St. Ann Catholic Church 24500 S. Navajo Drive Channahon, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, where full Military Honors will be conducted under the auspices of the United States Marines and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Squad. In lieu of flowers, donations to Joliet Area Community Hospice or the Les Turner ALS Foundation would be appreciated.
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 17, 2018 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.
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