Dr. Arthur E. Kemp

1929 - 2016

Dr. Arthur E. Kemp

Dr. Arthur Edward Kemp went to be with our Lord and Savior on March 28, 2016, where he was able to hear the words "Well done thou good and faithful servant!" Matthew 25:21.

He was born on November 21, 1929 in Hickory, North Carolina. His family moved to Washington D.C. where he attended public school. He attended The Ohio State University, Capital University (Bachelor of Liberal Arts), Xavier University and Ashland Theological Seminary where he received a Master of Arts in Religion and a Doctorate of Ministry. He completed post-doctoral studies in the Soviet Union and Jerusalem, Israel.

He was employed at the Pentagon, United States Post Office, Westinghouse Electric, Co-founder and Director of BOYS Inc., Legislative Liaison for Governor James A. Rhodes, Legislative Lobbyist for Ohio Industrial Relations Department and Minorities Coordinator in the State of Ohio for U.S. Senator John H. Glenn's senatorial campaign and President Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign. He served as the pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church until his retirement in 1995. Arthur delivered God's word through radio broadcast known as "Focus On The Word." He served seven different congregations as an interim pastor in various parts of the United States after his retirement, last working in 2009. He was a professor at the McCreary Center for African American Religious Studies and its extension Bethlehem House of Bread and he also served as an adjunct professor in African American Religious Studies at Ashland Theological Seminary.

Arthur served his Country and was honorably discharged from the United States Army. He loved to travel and he visited Leningrad, Kiev, Moscow, Amsterdam, Denmark, Egypt, England, Finland, Jordan, Lebanon, London, Vienna, Soviet Union and Africa. Arthur traveled on numerous occasions to Israel taking many different groups with him. Arthur was a member and staff of Mount Calvary Baptist Church, where he enjoyed teaching a Wednesday noon day Bible class called "The Seekers." Arthur's favorite scripture was Romans 8.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Rosa Kemp; wife of 37 years, Francine E. Kemp; and siblings, James Kemp, Ethel Burton, Dorothy Kemp and Douglas Kemp. Arthur is survived by his loving wife, Rose M. Kemp; children, Douglas A. Kemp (Diane) of Washington D.C., Shannon N. Bryant of Akron, Ohio and Troy L. Davidson (Aquanita) of Cleveland, Ohio; granddaughters, Nicole Tillman and Alexis F. Kemp of Washington D.C., Morgan B. Sullivan of Akron, Ohio; grandsons, Davon Hines of Cleveland, Ohio and Da'Von D. Reed of Akron, Ohio; great-grandson, Major D. Sullivan-Ellis; siblings, Kester Kemp (Juanita) of Silver Springs, Md. and Helen Jennifer of Akron, Ohio; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Reed of Akron, Ohio; Goddaughter, Dr. Charlene Watkins of Columbus, Ohio; adopted children, Bernard and Deborah Holmes and their sons, Nathan and Alan Holmes of Jacksonville, Fla.; and a host of nieces, nephews and many dear friends. Dr. Arthur E. Kemp mentored many, many sons and daughters in ministry throughout the United States.

The family of Dr. Arthur E. Kemp would like to thank Pastor Jeffery (Sister Angela) Dennis and Mount Calvary Baptist Church Family, Davita Dialysis Center Monroe Falls, Davita Dialysis Summa City, Summa (City) Medical Hospital, Dr. John Petrus Oncologist, Dr. Laura Pennel-Samson Neuropsychologist, Dr. Joseph Meli MD., Dr. Miriam Zidehsarai, Nephrologist, Monroe Falls Fire Chief Lee Chafin and EMS Staff.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 9, 2016, 1 p.m. at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 442 Bell Street, Akron, Ohio 44307, where friends may call from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Cremation has taken place. Procession will form and condolences may be sent to 980 Carlysle Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44310.