Ernest "Ernie" Clarence Kemper, Jr.

Ernest "Ernie" Clarence Kemper, Jr., age 69, of Maryville, went to his Heavenly Father in the early morning of September 12, 2016. Ernie volunteered and was a Sergeant in the U. S. Army with the 199th LIB and fought in the Vietnam War (1969-70). He worked in the Potline Operations at Alcoa, East Tennessee Operations for 25 years. After retirement, he volunteered with the Betrayed Retirees Organization, assisting and encouraging fellow retirees and widows. Ernie was also an active member and loved the brothers at Rockford Lodge 469, F&AM. He previously served as a deacon at Cedar Grove Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Ernest C. Kemper, Sr. and Cora Carter Kemper. Ernie is survived by a loving wife, Donna Pesterfield Kemper; son, Ernest "Buddy" Kemper, III (Ashley); and daughter, Leah Kemper Logan (Tim), of Jasper, GA. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Bailey, Angel, Riley, Isaac, Leeann and Anders; his sister, Betty Roberts (Ron), of Payne Springs, TX; sister, Judy Kemper-Jones (Robert, Jr.), of Rockford; brother, Greg Robinson (Lorrie), of Knoxville; sister, Angela Kemper, of Maryville; numerous nieces and nephews. Ernie "never met a stranger", was a caring and loving husband, devoted father, grandfather, brother, and friend. We are blessed to have him and we all love, miss and honor him. A Masonic service, provided by Rockford Lodge 469, F&AM will begin at 7:00 p.m. Thursday in McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home Chapel followed by funeral services with Rev. Frank Kemper officiating. Family and friends will meet at 1:30 p.m. Friday at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, Governor John Sevier Highway, for the interment service. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.