Charles "Charlie" Edward Kemp

Charles (Charlie) Kemp was born on May 3, 1940 and passed away on May 29, 2023.

Charles is survived by his wife of 58 years, best friend and love of his life, Janice (Conner) Kemp. He was blessed with two children of whom he was very proud and loved dearly, Charlie Kemp Jr. and Amy M. Kemp. He loved and adored his three grandsons, Will (Josie) Kemp, Ryan Kemp and Jeffrey Kemp, his great-granddaughter Evelynn Lee Kemp, his grandson's mother, Cheryl Kemp. He is also survived by his sister, Kathleen Kemp, as well as numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Ruby (Kinnison) Kemp, his sister and brother-in-law Dr. George and Connie (Kemp) Schul, Karen (Kemp) Mason and his nephew Brian Miller. 

Charles graduated from Fairfield High School Class of 1958 and enjoyed playing the trumpet in the marching band. He served his country in the Army National Guard.

His love of cars chose his career path for him, starting out working at a service station on Route 4 and HIgh Street in Hamilton to owning the Marathon Service Station on Route 4 and Nilles Road in Fairfield, then eventually building his own auto repair shop, Kemp's Garage and Fairfield Radiator in 1978. He retired in 2008, after 30 years owning/operating Kemp's Garage. He was well respected in the Fairfield business community.

Charles enjoyed being with his family and friends and helping others. He loved cars, working on cars, watching car racing on TV, and going to car races, but his family was always his first love. He never met a stranger and his kindness and compassion for helping others and instilling the value of helping others in his children and grandchildren will be his legacy. 

Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, June 10th at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 4601 Fairfield Avenue, Fairfield, from 1-3PM with a tribute read by his son, Charlie, at 3PM. Pastor Joe will be officiating. Avance Funeral Home is serving the family. 

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