Pastor Kemper L. Dean

Kemper Leon Dean

January 5, 1941 – March 29, 2026

Kemper Leon Dean was born on January 5, 1941, in a log cabin near Elkton, VA, to Edgar Weaver Dean and Selena Hensley (Dean) Fravel. 

 He was educated at Elkton Elementary School and later at Elkton High School.  There, he played football and was one of the 13 players on the 1957 Ironmen team, where he played both guard and tackle.

After High School, he joined the USMC, where he served 4 years, one of them in Japan, and became an outstanding mechanic, a career that he continued for most of his adult years.  He was known to be the best front-end mechanic in the area.  In the late 70s, he became a pastor, a 2nd career that he enjoyed until his total retirement from both jobs.

In 1970, Kemper married his High School sweetheart, Loris Ann Williams.  They enjoyed 55 years together.  Their household was a busy one with their 7 daughters, Tanya Baber (Gary), Teressa Italiano (David), Tina Dean Cash (Steven), Stacey Lynne Miller (Jeffrey), Teresa Michele Patterson (Glenn), Torina Hedrick, and Shelly Dean (Stacy Pleasants).  He loved all of his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren unconditionally.

Kemper fought a long and hard battle with Parkinson’s Disease.  He appreciated the Physical Therapy he received from Rob Snyder of Welcome Home, who helped him work hard to stand and walk for as long as possible.  He also had wonderful caregivers: Rebecca Dobson for over 2 years and Mike Fields for a shorter period.  He was blessed to receive services from both the Veterans Administration and the Hospice of the Shenandoah.

Kemper was preceded in death by his sister, Clarine Dean, and his brothers, Charles Dean and Willie Dean.

Kemper’s fervent wish was for all his family and friends to be God-fearing Christians who would be with him in heaven. 

The family will receive friends from 10:30 am to 11:30 am on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the funeral home and where a celebration of Kempers’s life with military honors will be held in the chapel at 11:30 am, with the service being officiated by Dr. Mark Finch.

Immediately following the celebration of life service there will be a reception.

A graveside service will be at 4:00 pm on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the Elk Run Cemetery in Elkton, VA. 

There will be no formal funeral procession to the cemetery, but all who wish to be at the graveside are welcome to attend.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Pastor Kemper L. Dean, please visit our floral store.