Raymond Kemp

Raymond Roberts Kemp passed away suddenly on June 1, 2015. Ray was born to Richard and Helen Kemp on June 19, 1947 in Huntington, West Virginia. He graduated from Huntington High School in 1965, and from Marshall University, with a Bachelor of Arts, in 1969. He moved to Columbus shortly thereafter, where he completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Franklin University in 1983. He was admitted to practice as a Certified Public Accountant in 1984, and was employed by Kagay and Schellhaas, CPAs LLC for over 30 years. He was a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Ohio Society of CPAs since 1985.
Ray was respected as a committed Christian. He made a decision to follow Jesus at a Youth for Christ meeting in 1964, and became involved with the Navigators Collegiate Ministry at Marshall University and later at Ohio State. He was a long-time member of Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council in the early 2000s. In recent years, he invested much of his time in the church’s youth program, providing prayer and support at Vacation Bible School, to middle and high schoolers, and to adult staff and volunteers.
Ray’s family and friends remember him as a person of great integrity, who was comfortable with who he was, and who loved his family and his Lord above all else. He took pride in keeping the house and yard “in good shape.” When he did relax, his hobbies centered around trains, politics, and most recently, being an adoring grandfather of his son’s two young girls.
Ray is survived by his wife of 35 years, Karen Kemp; daughter Kristina Kemp and Michael Corsa; son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Alethea Kemp; granddaughters Theodora and Macrina Kemp, with a grandson due in September; brothers George and Russell DeSena; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church (2300 Lytham Road) at 2 pm on Saturday, June 6. Visitation will take place at 1 pm, as well as after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ray’s memory to UALC Youth Ministries (2300 Lytham Road, Columbus, OH 43220) or earmarked to The Collegiate National Ministry fund of The Navigators (PO Box 6079, Albert Lea, MN 56007-6679).