Leslie Owen Kemp

Leslie Owen Kemp, 69, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother of Spring, Texas, went home to be with Our Lord on May 21, 2015 after suffering cardiac arrest during surgery. Leslie was born on July 29, 1945 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1963 from Cannon- MacMillian High School. He proceeded on to Tennessee State University to play football. Upon his return home to Pennsylvania, he met the love of his life, Marilyn Janine Secreet and married on December 23, 1971. Leslie and Marilyn settled in Spring, Texas in 1979 and raised their children in the Klein area. Leslie worked hard and devoted his life to his family and friends and actively participated in his children's activities and sports. Leslie began his career with Scurlock Oil Company in data services and then ultimately the manager over office services. He remained a faithful employee with the company until his retirement in 2002. Although his health limited him physically, Leslie continued to be active in the lives of his 4 children and 10 grandchildren, always being supportive of their goals and encouraging them to strive for greatness. He could very often be found on the ball fields, cheering on his grandsons, at the high school gymnasium supporting his granddaughter on the court, or out and about at one of many HOPE events supporting a cause most dear to him, the Will Herndon Fund of Beyond Batten Disease Foundation to benefit juvenile Batten disease research to help his grandson, Will. The last few years of his life he spent most of his time in the company of his immediate family and his "Baby Doll", Marilyn, with whom he was inseparable. The love that they shared over the last 43 years was unlike any other. When Leslie lost his eye sight over 10 years ago, Marilyn was his everything, she was his constant companion, his heart, his soul and his eyes. Leslie's incredible strength and devotion to his family will never be forgotten. He will continue to live in the hearts of those who knew him. Even through great physical adversity, he always remained prayerful and hopeful and was an inspiration to all who knew him. Heaven has welcomed one of its greatest angels. Leslie is survived by his children; Brandon David Kemp and wife Wendy, Missy Kemp Herndon and husband, Wayne, and Dr. Jessica Kemp Park, DC and husband David, Jason Kemp and wife Brittania; grandchildren, Kinley Michelle Kemp, Bryson Owen Kemp, William Wayne Herndon IV, Steele Owen Herndon, Magnus Samuel Stovall Herndon, Remington MacKenzie Wells, Weston Ryder Wells, Kingsley Koller Anniboli, Victor Kemp and Dominic Kemp; siblings, Anthony Kemp and wife Vernie of Gardenia, California, Donna Guinn of Washington, Pennsylvania, and Debi Guinn Mack and husband Richard of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania and countless dear friends. Leslie is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marilyn Janine Secreet Kemp, his father, Owen Kemp his stepfather, James Guinn and his mother, Emily Hamilton Guinn.

Services will be held to honor and celebrate the life of Leslie Kemp on Tuesday, May 26 at 10:30am in The Robb Chapel of The Woodlands United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Will Herndon Research Fund of Beyond Batten Disease Foundation to support Leslie's grandson Will, suffering from the condition, www.willherndon.org