John William Kemp III

1943 - 2024

John William Kemp III, 80
1943 - 2024
Port Charlotte, FL - John William Kemp III, age 80, of Port Charlotte, Florida, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2024.
John was born in Jacksonville, Florida on April 26, 1943, to John W. Kemp II and Cecile Kemp (née Poirier). After graduating from Nathan Bedford Forrest High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country from 1961-1965. While on shore leave in 1963, he met his wife-to-be, Gay, at Revere Beach, and they married later that year.
John spent most of his career working as an engineer. He operated the power plant at Beverly Hospital for over twenty years before leaving to take a position at Mystic Station in Charlestown. When he wasn't operating a power plant or supervising those that were, John taught night courses in steam engineering at the Peterson School in Boston and worked as a part-time police officer in Wenham, "just for fun."
Although John valued hard work and led by example, he made time to pursue his diverse interests and hobbies. As an enthusiast of nineteenth-century frontier life, he participated in historical reenactments and traveled to retreats where he instructed his children in marksmanship and primitive survival techniques. Closer to home, John belonged to the Danvers Fish and Game Club, where he enjoyed shooting his guns and walking the trails with his dog. He was also an exceptionally skilled craftsman, who spent countless hours in his shed making knives, jewelry, canes, and more.
Above all else, John cared deeply for his family. Whether firing antique cannons in the backyard or chasing snakes in Florida, his predilection for the spontaneous and unconventional (combined with a healthy disregard for the opinions of others), could turn any mundane activity or outing into an adventure. Everyone understood that his occasionally stern and grumpy exterior belied an innate generosity and warmth. His family will miss his instructional and occasionally shocking anecdotes, his poignant commentaries on everything from early U.S. History to contemporary music, and his frequently off-color jokes. They are grateful for the time they had with him and for the memories that they will carry in their hearts forever.
John was predeceased by his wife, Gay Kemp (née Hutchinson), with whom he shared over fifty years of marriage. He leaves behind their three children: Kimberly Clements (husband, Peter Clements) of Salisbury, Laurie Kemp Brackett (predeceased by her husband, Scott Brackett) of Lynn, and John W. Kemp IV (partner, Amanda Warnock) of Salem. John was predeceased by his grandson, Kyle Brook, and is survived by grandchildren Ryan Freeman, Coty Van Scyoc, Amber Oliver, and John W. Kemp V (JJ). He also leaves seven great-grandchildren: Ariana Freeman, Ryan Freeman Jr., Deon Freeman, Miles Freeman, Cali Smith-Brook, Auriel Harper, and Elliana Harper. John was predeceased by his brother, Paul Kemp of Orlando, and is survived by his brother, James Kemp (wife, Ann Kemp) of Jacksonville, his sister, Sue Kemp Lovett (husband, James Lovett) of Jacksonville, and his sister, Patricia Bowman (husband, Michael Bowman) of Port Charlotte, who cared for John and Gay following their move to Florida in 2010.
A celebration of John's life will take place at Gannon Golf Course on April 26, 2024 at 7:00. All are welcome. At a later date to be determined, John will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Gay, at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.