Harden Nathen Kemper

Harden Nathen Kemper, 94, of Vilonia went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 16, 2016. He was the twin brother of Harvey J. Kemper, born October 31, 1921 in Wooster, Arkansas to Jubal Kemper and Leona Prothro Kemper. In the late 1930's, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps serving in Northwest Arkansas at Camp Ozone. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he and his brother, Harvey enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on July 20, 1942 in the 2nd Marine Division as part of the Fleet Marine Force Pacific. They were stationed at Wellington, New Zealand, and then at Pearl Harbor, at the time of the West Loch Disaster, known to the servicemen as the 2nd Pearl Harbor, and event which was finally declassified in 1960, with the first memorial being unveiled in 1995. From there, he served in the battle of Saipan, receiving a Presidential Unit Citation, and from there , on to Tinian, attaining the rank of Corporal. He returned stateside and served until his honorable discharge on December 17, 1945. He was a faithful member of the Northside Church of Christ in Conway, serving as an elder for several years. He enjoyed gardening, outdoor sports and and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Gunter Kemper, whom he married on June 15, 1952, in Conway, one son, Robert Kemper, Sr., one brother, Dudley Kemper, and two sisters, Florence Kemper, and Mildred Owens. He is survived by his twin brother, Harvey J. Kemper of Quitman, three sons, Norman Kemper (Nellwyn) of Cabot, Bruce Kemper (Julie) of Conway, and Ronnie Kemper (Kerri) of Whitewater, Colorado, one daughter, Regina Savage (Butch) of Vilonia, and one daughter-in-law, Tanya Kemper Hightower (Orvin) of Bigalow, 15 grandchildren, Nathen Kemper (Marcie), Jayson Kemper, Melissa Canterbury (Zane), Robert Kemper Jr. (Jessica), Catherine Kemper, Bethany Kemper, Samantha Clutter, Jody Kemper, Alex Kemper (Hannah), Jeffery Kemper, Adam Kemper, (Wendi), Kason Clutter, Emma Kemper, and Aaron Kemper, along with six great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Visitation will be 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Friday, August 19, 2016 and Funeral Service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, August 20, 2016 at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home of Conway, Arkansas. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home Chapel of Conway, Arkansas. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/conway.