Steven Douglas Kempton, Waverly, Nebraska, went home to be with the Lord on April 26, 2019. He was born on September 26, 1949 to Robert Ward Kempton and Jane Louise Cook in Sioux City, Iowa. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1967, serving his country proudly aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger. During his enlistment, he went on several missionary trips in the Phillippines, saw the Bob Hope USO Tour, and the Rev. Billy Graham who was visiting the ship. He was honorably discharged in 1971 and moved to Lincoln where he met Joyce Anne Gergen. They were married on Febuary 3, 1973 in Syracuse, Nebraska.
Steve worked at Capital Bridge and Steel Co. from 1971- 1984. He worked for the Waverly School District in custodial and maintenance, retiring after 32 years in Dec. 2017. His many hobbies included fishing, hunting, gardening, birdwatching, baking, playing guitar, woodcarving, and woodworking. He was a life member of the National Rifle Association. His love of God, life, and nature made him an amazing husband, father, and grandpa.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Kempton; sons and daughters-in-law Russell Kempton and April Tweedie-Kempton, Waverly, and Blake and Justine Kempton, Lincoln; grandchildren Taylor Tweedie, Colby and Remy Kempton, Waverly; sisters Donna Kreymborg, Sioux City, IA, and Nancy Wilkinson, Charleston, WV; sisters-in-law and husbands Mary and Kenneth Wellman and Nancy and Douglas Savery, Lincoln; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, many other family members, and many great friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, parents-in-law, brothers-in-law, two nephews, three great-nephews, and many old friends whom he looks forward to seeing again.
Funeral services to be held at Bethlehem Covenant Church, 18841 N 98th Street, Waverly, at 1:00 p.m. Saturday May 4th.
Family will greet friends on Friday, May 3rd from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Roper and Sons Funeral Home in Waverly, 10851 N. 148th St.
Memorials may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 85816, Lincoln, NE 68501.