Kline G. Kemp, Jr.,
Kline would like for you to know that his work here was done and that he lived a very fulfilled life having done what he loved for so many years; and being loved by so many. He received an offer; one he couldn't easily refuse. It came with a huge sign-on bonus and a reunion with family and friends he'd been missing for a long time; especially, his son, Larry.
Kline Kemp, Jr. was born in Dover on September 21, 1938. He was the son of the late Kline Gooden Kemp, Sr. and Emma Holsten Baker. He graduated from Dover High School in 1956 and graduated from The Wilmington Police Academy in 1961. He served as a Police Officer and then Detective at Dover Police Department for six years. In 1968 Kline was employed as the Director of Emergency Medical Services. While there, he was involved in writing the laws regarding the implementation of 911 and Delaware's first ambulance law. He went on to complete 34 years of state service. Kline worked for the Highway Testing Lab and The Office of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs where he served as its first Chief Agent.
Kline was a Charter member of the FOP Lodge #3. He joined the Robbins Hose Company in 1959. He went on to be the President in 1980 and was the first member to hold the office of Fire Chief twice, once in 1974-1977 and again in 1983; he also held office as Chief of Little Creek Fire Department in 1969-1970. He served 62 years in the fire service. Kline was appointed to the State Fire Commission by Governor Sherman Tribbitt for a six-year term. He served as the President of the Kent County Firemen's Association. He was one of the first paid Delaware State Fire School instructors. Kline was also a 32 degree Mason, Union Lodge 7 A.F. & A.M., and a member of the Lower Delaware Shield and Square Club.
When he wasn't fighting fires, Kline loved to hunt and fish. He was a U.S. Coast Guard licensed charter boat captain and ran boats out of Slaughter Beach. In later years after he retired from law enforcement, Kline was the executive VP of Bennett Security Services of Dover which he enjoyed because he was working for his friends Ed and Brad Bennett. He was also the Director of Crime Stoppers.
Kline was predeceased in death by his mother and father; sister, Carolyn Baugh; and son, Lawrence Kemp.
He is survived by his wife, Glenna Harris Kemp; and former wife, Carolyn Marney, mother of his three children. He is survived by his daughters, Katherine Seacord and Christine Kemp; stepsons, Daniel Gordon and David Gordon; grandchildren, Amber Preskenis, Alyse Bostwick, and Zoriya Kemp; step-grandchildren, Sarah Gordon, Jacob Gordon, Brooks Gordon, and Juliette Gordon; as well as five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 12 p.m., Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Dover Fire Department. Friends may call from 10-12, with burial at Lakeside Cemetery to follow.
In lieu of flowers, you can send donations to the Shriners Hospital or Tunnel for Towers.
Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at http://www.torbertfuneral.com