James Francis Kempf

Jim Kempf, 68, passed away unexpectedly on December 14, 2011. Born on May 15, 1943 in Tipton, Missouri; he was the son of Edna Marie Lammers Kempf & Ernest John Kempf. He graduated from Tipton High School (Class of 1961), served honorably in the US Air Force from Sept 1961- May 1965 earning the Air Force Good Conduct Medal and Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. Jim received a BA in Political Science with a minor in Russian and Economics from Warrensburg.

Jim’s career began with NASA in Houston, Texas and he retired as a Contract Specialist with the EPA in the Research Triangle in 2004 after forty years of service. He was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church in Apex, NC; an active participant of Westwood Baptist Church; the Knights of Columbus; Cary Crosstrailers Square Dance Club for 36 years; and the NC Baptist Men from Westwood Baptist Church doing recovery work and repairs in Gulfport, NC and Kentucky.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Linda Wolfe Kempf, of Cary, NC; son, Kyle Adam (Tonya) Kempf, and their son Donovan Kempf, all of Raleigh; son, John Frederick (Gillette) Kempf, and their sons, Christos and Sebastian Kempf, all of Wadena, MN; daughter, Melissa (Jim) Bader and their daughters, Megan and Jenna Bader, all of Apex; son, David Wolfe and his daughter Alexis Wolfe, both of Fort Worth, TX; sister: Mary Lee Gerke, Pilot Grove, MO; and brothers, David (Thora) Kempf, Jefferson City, MO and Jerry (Kim) Kempf, Denver, CO.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 4 PM at Westwood Baptist Church – 200 Westhigh Street in Cary, with family to receive following at church. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 19, 2011 from 10-11 AM at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church – 3008 Old Raleigh Road in Apex, with a Funeral Mass to begin at 11 AM. Interment, with Military Honors, will follow at Wake Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to St. Andrews Catholic Church or Westwood Baptist Church Mission projects.