Mar 29

Mar 29 Obituary: Henry (Hank) Norman Kempton, 73, BZ Corner

Henry (Hank) Norman Kempton, 73 years old of BZ Corner, WA passed away suddenly on March 21, 2023 in an excavating accident.

Service will be held on Friday, April 7, 2023, at 10:00 A.M., at Grace Baptist Church, 1280 SW Jewett Blvd., White Salmon, WA, potluck to follow the service.

Gardner Funeral Home will be handling the funeral arrangements.

Hank was born in Wenatchee, WA to Albert and Mildred (Jane) Kempton on July 25, 1949. The family moved to Mosier in 1960 and Hank graduated from Wahtonka High School in 1969. He was an avid cross-country runner. He ran 5000 miles in his high school years. He ran over the hill from Mosier to Wahtonka every morning and evening. In 1966 he received the Boy Scout Merit Award. In 1968 he received a certificate at the Lake Oswego Kiwanis Road Run.

He married Paula Demeter in 1971 at Rhododendron, Oregon. They moved to White Salmon and in 1973 moved to BZ Corner. They had two children, Chris, and Gretchen.

Hank enjoyed playing with his grandkids, hunting with his nephews, steaks on the grill at every family function and keeping his yard green and groomed.

He worked at SD&S, drove log truck, and then started his own excavation business. He passed doing what he enjoyed doing, excavation.

Hank is survived by his wife of 52 years, Paula, son Chris, wife Cresta, daughter Gretchen, and Mother-in-Law Doris Demeter. His grandchildren Kierstyn, Ian, Kyle, Zach, Calen, Carys, Maiya, Kayden, Lettie, and Micah. His siblings Etta Hepner, husband Don, Trudy Kempton, Fern Sibert, and Judy Harrington. Paula’s siblings, Gene Demeter, wife Patty, Allen Demeter, wife Chris, Rhonda Vice, husband Joe, and Sammy Demeter. As well as numerous nieces and nephews on the Kempton and Demeter sides along with great nieces and great nephews, and a great-great nephew. Also, there are many friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Mildred (Jane), brother Jim, Father-in-Law Sam Demeter.

Service will be held on Friday, April 7, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 1280 SW Jewett Blvd, White Salmon, WA. A potluck will follow the service. The internment of ashes will be later. Gardner Funeral Home is handling the funeral arrangements.

The family wishes to extend their thanks to Grace Baptist Church for hosting the service, the firemen, the police, EMS, the numerous responders, friends, and neighbors who arrived at the scene of the accident.