Howard Alexander Kemper

Howard Kemper, 85, was born in Hartman, Colorado to Howard and Clara Kemper. The family, which included 4 sons and 1 daughter, relocated to Vancouver, Washington where Howard was drafted by the Army and proudly served our country in WWII. During the war he was sent to the Island of Leyte in the Pacific where he sustained injuries from a grenade explosion that took the hearing from his right ear and the sight from his right eye. After the explosion he was bayoneted 7 times. With little to no assistance he crawled 6 miles to receive help. He was awarded the Purple Heart and soon after was honorably discharged. After coming home he met Marie Schlect. The two were married on September 23, 1952. Together they raised Marie's daughter Jody and had a son named Dan. Later he met Marie's two son's Garry and David whom he lovingly claimed as his own. While raising his family he was diagnosed with cancer which he fought and beat. As the years went on he suffered two reoccurrences which he also fought and beat. In 1964 he settled his family into a newly built home located in Hazel Dell where he resided until he passed. He served as a volunteer fire fighter for the Hazel Dell Fire District 6. He was an auto mechanic, working for Carl's Automotive. He owned his own Texaco Station and Automotive Repair business. Howard worked for Transmission Exchange in Portland where he eventually retired. His favorite hobby was spending time with his family playing cards and going dancing. Most notable was his love for the outdoors: Camping, fishing, and hunting. Howard was a long time member of the Clark County Genealogical Society as well as a member the camera club, Film Pack. He loved computers with which he frequently had to ask for help, but it never discouraged him. After Marie's passing he spent most of his day writing his life story. The Family would like to thank Southwest Washington Medical Center and the Ray Hickey Hospice House for their excellent and attentive care for all concerned. He is survived by his brother Ray (Sharon) Kemper, son Daniel (Rebecca) Kemper, daughter JoEva (Jody) (Clarence "Butch") Lacy, stepsons Garry (Kayte) Lucas, and David (Tina) Morrison, grandchildren Jack (Amber) Kemper, Bill Wilcox, Paul Wilcox, Cheryl (Mark) Lucas-Bastian, Maria (Peter) Lucas-O'Hara, Stephen Morrison, Kelley (Valmy D Adams) Morrison, Scott Morrison, and 19 great grandchildren. Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Howard Kemper and Clara Kemper-Thorvig; brothers Chester Kemper and Vernon Kemper; sister Goldie Lawson-Kemper; wife Hillian Marie Kemper-Schlect, and one grandchild Stacey Morrison. Howard passed at the Ray Hickey Hospice House on July 12, 2010 at 3:46 pm. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the American Cancer Society. Viewing is scheduled on Sunday July 18, 2010 from Noon to 9pm. Services will be held on Monday July 19, 2010 at 10am, followed by a reception at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Graveside services will be held at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon at 1:30pm the same day.

Howard Alexander Kemper

November 9, 1924 - July 12, 2010