Edward Harry Tempest

Captain Edward Harry TEMPEST, 82, died peacefully in his sleep on November 6, 2017, in Pompano Beach, FL. He proudly served his country on active duty for 29 years.

Captain TEMPEST was born on March 7, 1935, in Shenandoah, PA, to Edward Jerome and Margaret Rhea Tempest. He graduated from Upper Darby High School, and attended Drexel University in Philadelphia, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1958.

In 1959, Captain TEMPEST entered the Navy, obtaining his commission at Officer Candidate School, Newport, RI. He then attended Navy Supply Corps School, Athens, GA to attain the designation of Supply Corps.

Initial assignments included USS NORTHAMPTON (CLC-1) 1959-61 and the US Navy Finance Center, Norfolk, VA, 1961-63. From 1963-65, Capt. TEMPEST served as the Supply Officer on USS YANCEY (AKA-93). In 1965, he reported to the Naval Supply Center, Norfolk, VA, where he served as Deputy Transportation Director and Household Goods Officer.

In 1967, Captain TEMPEST reported to the Staff of Commander Service Force Pacific and served in Transportation Logistics, and later Supply Plans. He directed the Pacific Fleet Supply Operations Assistance Program in San Francisco from 1970-73.

Following completion of a Master Degree in Business Administration at the Naval Post Graduate School at Monterey, CA in 1975, Captain TEMPEST served on the Logistics Directorate of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, DC.

Captain TEMPEST reported to the USS SAN DIEGO (AFS-6) in 1978 serving as Supply Officer for two years. He returned to Washington, DC, in 1980 to duty with the Staff of the Naval Supply Systems Command, Code 03. In 1982, he was transferred to duty as Assistant Chief of Staff for Supply, Commander Naval Surface Group Western Pacific. In 1983, he returned to Alexandria, VA, and completed his active duty service at the Defense Logistics Agency.

Captain TEMPEST has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Star and Navy Commendation Medal, and is authorized to wear the Navy Unit Commendation, Battle “E”, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marilyn Mathews Tempest. They have two sons, Edward Mark Tempest (Norma) and Scott Mathews Tempest (Laura), and four grandchildren, Melissa, Ben, Kyle, and Gracie.

The Tempests retired to the Florida Keys in 1997, close to the ocean they both loved. It was during this time that Captain TEMPEST was able to pursue his passions for boating, fishing and cooking. He particularly rejoiced in the wonderful long term camaraderie with neighbors and friends, a privilege sacrificed during active duty years. He and the Keys were a good fit.

There will be a memorial service in his hometown of Marathon, FL, January 14, 2018, 2:00 p.m. at St. Columba Episcopal Church, 451 52nd St. Gulf. Memorial service and final interment at Arlington National Cemetery is planned for March 27, 2018.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

St Columba Hammock House, After School Program, PO Box 500426, Marathon, FL. 33050-0426

Or

Marathon Community Theatre, PO Box 501136, Marathon, FL 33050