1952
Gary
2024
Gary Kempley
January 30, 1952 — June 26, 2024
Gary Lee Kempley, 72, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at the Mayo Hospital in Eau Claire on June 26, 2024. Following visitation at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 7, a memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 309 W Cook Street, Portage Wis.
Gary’s immediate family includes his son, Aaron, of Seattle, Washington, and two sisters, Cheryl Kempley (Tracy Clagett) of Lee’s Sumit, MO, and Karla (Don) Kjelstad, Altoona, Wis. Extended family includes niece Lynsey (Justin) Berry of Rifle, CO; nephew Andrew (Samantha) Kjelstad and their children, Henry and Harper, also of Altoona, as well as many cousins and friends.
Gary was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Charles & Evelyn (Fenske) Kempley; maternal grandparents, Frank & Marcella (Donavon) Steiner, and his parents, Gordon & Kathryn (Steiner) Kempley.
Born January 30, 1952 in Portage, Wis, Gary lived his first twenty years in Endeavor, Wis. He graduated from Portage Senior High School in 1970, then enlisted and trained with the Air National Guard. Gary took his role as a protector of our country very seriously. Later he moved to Minneapolis, where he began his career in the Big & Tall Man clothing industry. He was a natural for this job due to his outgoing personality and his 6’5”, 270 lb stature. More importantly, Gary knew good fabric and appreciated fine clothing; his clients were well-served.
Eventually, he moved to Florida and spent many years relishing life in the sunshine. He enjoyed golf and baseball, and was an avid Green Bay Packer fan. Gary loved to sing…and acknowledged he was the only one in the family who could carry a tune. Spending time with family was a priority, and he was a wonderful caregiver for both of his parents in their later years.
Gary’s family would like to thank the staffs of Care Partners of Altoona and Dove Healthcare South for the exceptional care and kindness provided to Gary during his extended illness.
Memorial donations in Gary’s honor may be directed to the Stand in the Light Memory Choir at standinthelightmemorychoir.org.
Gary’s immediate family includes his son, Aaron, of Seattle, Washington, and two sisters, Cheryl Kempley (Tracy Clagett) of Lee’s Sumit, MO, and Karla (Don) Kjelstad, Altoona, Wis. Extended family includes niece Lynsey (Justin) Berry of Rifle, CO; nephew Andrew (Samantha) Kjelstad and their children, Henry and Harper, also of Altoona, as well as many cousins and friends.
Gary was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Charles & Evelyn (Fenske) Kempley; maternal grandparents, Frank & Marcella (Donavon) Steiner, and his parents, Gordon & Kathryn (Steiner) Kempley.
Born January 30, 1952 in Portage, Wis, Gary lived his first twenty years in Endeavor, Wis. He graduated from Portage Senior High School in 1970, then enlisted and trained with the Air National Guard. Gary took his role as a protector of our country very seriously. Later he moved to Minneapolis, where he began his career in the Big & Tall Man clothing industry. He was a natural for this job due to his outgoing personality and his 6’5”, 270 lb stature. More importantly, Gary knew good fabric and appreciated fine clothing; his clients were well-served.
Eventually, he moved to Florida and spent many years relishing life in the sunshine. He enjoyed golf and baseball, and was an avid Green Bay Packer fan. Gary loved to sing…and acknowledged he was the only one in the family who could carry a tune. Spending time with family was a priority, and he was a wonderful caregiver for both of his parents in their later years.
Gary’s family would like to thank the staffs of Care Partners of Altoona and Dove Healthcare South for the exceptional care and kindness provided to Gary during his extended illness.
Memorial donations in Gary’s honor may be directed to the Stand in the Light Memory Choir at standinthelightmemorychoir.org.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gary Kempley, please visit our flower store.
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