Cmdr. Edmond Duane Kemp of Oak Harbor died Aug. 27, 2010, at The Skagit Valley Hospital in Mt. Vernon, following an extended illness. Duane was born in Prosser on May 22, 1924, to Edmund W. and Aura (Harding) Kemp. He was the grandson of Prosser pioneers Ezra and Frances Kemp, and nephew of Fred D. Kemp. After graduating from Prosser High School, Duane attended the University of Washington and received his commission as a U. S. Naval aviator in 1943.
Ensign Kemp reported to Torpedo Squadron Nine, “Hell’s Angels” in January 1944. While serving in that squadron until July 1945, he participated in 70 missions in the Pacific Combat Area while his squadron was based alternately on the USS Essex (CV-9), USS Lexington (CV-16), and USS Yorktown (CV-10). During that period, he also took part in the first naval strikes against Truk, Saipan, Guam and Tokyo, and in the invasions of the Marshall Islands, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
He is entitled to wear the Ribbon and Stars for the Presidential Unit Citations awarded the USS Essex, USS Lexington and USS Yorktown for heroic service in the Pacific Area, and was personally awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and two Gold Stars in lieu of the second and third DFC’s and the Air Medal and three Gold Stars in lieu of the additional Air Medals. He later served as Commander of USS Tallahatchie County in The Mediterranean, U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York, Admiral’s Staff of U.S. Naval Forces of Europe in London and Executive Officer of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
Following his military career he served as Island County auditor and as an Island County commissioner. Duane was a respected member of Rotary International, Association of Naval Aviators, Military Officers Association of America, Knights of Columbus and a contributor and supporter of the PBY Association. He was both volunteer and director for the Retired Activities Office, NAS Whidbey Island for over 25 years.
Duane married Geraldine Butler of Atlantic City, N.J., and they raised five children. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Deborah, and sister, Winona Kemp Morris. Duane is survived by his wife Gerri of Oak Harbor; son Eugene (Lisa) of Huntington, England; daughters Connie Kemp and Kimberly Mason (Stuart) of Oak Harbor and Daryl Kemp of Redlands, Calif.; sister, Jackie Lee Houston (Jim) of Palm Springs, Calif.; two grandsons, Jared Kemp of Titusville, Fla., and Landon Kemp of Auburn, Ala.; and cousins, Ethel and James Kemp-Slaughter of Seattle.
Services for Duane will be held Wednesday, Sept. 1, at St. Augustine Catholic Church, with Mass at 10 a.m. followed by interment at Maple Leaf Cemetery.
Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel where friends and family may go online at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com to sign a guest register and leave memories for the family.
