Kemp N. Gaunt, retired lab technician
Kemp N. Gaunt, 82, of Lewes, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes. He was born Sunday, March 24, 1935, in Buckhannon, W.Va., son of the late David Hazelton Gaunt and Opal Donice (Curry) Gaunt.
Mr. Gaunt graduated from Buckhannon High School in 1952. He went on to honorably serve his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean and Vietnam wars. Following his retirement from the Army in 1978, he furthered his career as a laboratory technician. He worked for many years in Washington, D.C., at Walter Reed Medical Center and later Washington Hospital Center from which he retired in 1997.
In his retirement, Mr. Gaunt moved to Lewes, where he was a member of American Legion Post 28. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading, playing sudoku and watching his daily horse races. More than anything, Mr. Gaunt enjoyed dating and caring for his wife every day; she was the love of his life. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and dear friend who will be missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Gaunt was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Joan (Jodi), and his one brother, Harold Berry. He is survived by his three daughters: Lori Rowzie (Brian) of Sykesville, Md., Dana Lilly of Ocean View and Lisa Gaunt (Debbie) of Dundalk, Md.; his son, David Gaunt (Vicki) of Mt. Airy, Md.; his grandchildren: Tracey Roberts (Quinten) of Glen Burnie, Md., Melissa Rowzie (Justin) of Melbourne, Fla., David Lilly Jr. (Ashley) of Manchester, Md., Michael Jamshidi of Tempe, Ariz., Michelle Jamshidi of Morgantown, W.Va., Tiffany Milnor of Arlington, Va., Johnathan Gaunt of Mt. Airy and Brooke Gaunt of Morgantown; eight great-grandchildren; his two brothers: Harry Gaunt (Wilma) of Buckhannon and Gary Gaunt (Sherri) of Buckhannon; and his one sister, Doris Cutright of Akron, Ohio.
A Celebration of Mr. Gaunt's Life will be held Thursday, Jan. 18, at 11 a.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Gaunt's memory to St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, DE 19958.
Please visit Mr. Gaunt's Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guest book at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
