Capt. Gerald Thomas Kemick, (Gunner) USMC, Retired, age 80

Capt. Gerald Thomas Kemick, (Gunner) USMC, Retired, age 80, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2016.

Capt. Kemick was born April 2, 1936 in Bradford, PA and was a son of the late Edward C. Kemick, Sr., and Florence Mae Roberts Kemick. He was a lifelong Catholic and was a member of Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church in Belmont, NC.

In 1954 he entered the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 and completed Boot Camp at Parris Island, SC. He was stationed in multiple areas including Japan, Okinawa and Fleet Marine Force. He competed on the Marine rifle/pistol team and served as Drum Major while stationed in Yorktown, Virginia. Eventually he returned to Parris Island as a drill instructor before being chosen for Officer Candidate School. He was promoted to the rank of Captain while serving in Vietnam. He also was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA and Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington DC eventually retiring from the Marine Corps. at Camp Lejeune.

Following a long and distinguished career of military service he worked for Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte and retired a second time as Director of Environmental Services.

He was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, William J. Kemick, Susan L. Monago, Verna A. Tucker, Edward C. Kemick, Jr., James A. Kemick, Lois Mae Heasley, Robert H. Kemick, and Dorothy J. Huckabone.

Survivors include his wife, Minnie Arlene Riddle Kemick, a son, Lester (Butch) Kemick and wife Catharine of Rutherfordton, a brother, Michael F. Kemick of Bradford, PA, two sisters, Margaret L Reed of Arizona, and Mary A. Maxwell of Riverside, CA. There are also three grandchildren.

There was a Funeral Mass held in the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church celebrated by Father Herbert Burke and Deacon Andy Cilone. Interment with military honors were followed in the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery in Marion, NC.

The Padgett and King Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.