Donald Edgar Kemper

Don Kemper was born on August 22, 1930, in Denver, Colorado. The second son out of four boys, he was raised in Denver for his whole childhood. He was first brought up as a Methodist, going through confirmation at age twelve. He was accomplished as trombonist, winning recognition as a state champion in high school, where he also conducted a Highlander Boys band and he also played for the University of Colorado in the marching band.

Don attended South High School and upon graduation there, attended University of Colorado. It was while he was in college that on a blind date, he met the love of his life, Jacque. Jacque was a first-year college student while Don was a senior, and after a year of courting they got married on the seventh of June 1953.

At the time of the marriage, Don was called up to serve towards the end of the Korean War, as a Lieutenant in the Air Force, being stationed in Germany. His wife Jacque followed him to Germany, and they had there their first child, a son called Ron. The time in Europe was a wonderful experience for Don and Jacque as they traveled not only all over Germany, but they also had a chance to explore parts of Italy, France, and Switzerland; while driving a Volkswagen convertible that they had purchased there.

After being demobilized in 1956, Don returned to the states with his young son and wife. After finishing his degree in Business, Don moved to Los Angelas for his first employment with Occidental Petrolium company as a dispatcher of petroleum delivery trucks, a boring job he did not particularly like.

Don then moved his small family up to Reno Nevada where he worked as a representative for Upjohn, a large pharmaceutical company. Don and Jacque’s family continued to grow over the thirteen years that they lived in Reno. Son Christopher was born in 1963, with his daughter Jennifer then born in 1966, and then their youngest daughter Rebecca was born in 1971. In Reno, after losing his job with Upjohn, Don rededicated his life to Christ, and he became involved in helping establish the first Christian radio station there.

Then, in 1973 a change in jobs for Don brought the Kemper family up to Kennewick, Washington, what was then a small town in Eastern Washington state. For the next twenty-seven years Don worked for Abbott Laboratories as a hospital representative selling and providing services for equipment. While working in Kennewick, Don also was a teaching leader for Bible Study Fellowship, a non-denominational Christian organization, for fifteen years. He then retired and then moved to Parachute Colorado to be closer to his older brother Jack, where he lived for five years.

Don and Jacque then moved to Parker Colorado to help raise their grandchildren. It was right after they had moved to Parker, that they were invited by their children Rebecca and Chris, who were already introduced to Orthodoxy to attend Holy Theophany Church in Colorado Springs, a fifty-mile drive from their home. Discovering the Orthodox faith, Don, Jacque, and their oldest son Ron were all baptized and charismated in 2007. Don and Jacque were asked by Father Anthony to be involved with the establishment of Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Mission which had its first services in a HOA community Club House rented by Don and Jacque.

Then in 2017 Don lost his wife Jacque to cancer. Again, moving to be closer to brother, Don moved with his son Ron to Loveland Colorado, also in 2017. His son helped him remain at his home despite worsening physical infirmities which included cancer, arthritis, profound hearing, and vision loss. Don was a blessing to care for, full of love for those around him. Attending the Saint Spyridon Church in Loveland in person and later by streaming with support from Deacon Eugene who gave communion, from Fathers Evan and Gabrial, Don was able to the very end to live the Orthodox life.

On the thirteen of December, Don left his life of ninety-three years to be with his wife Jacque, to be with his Lord forever.