Dwayne Edward Kemp, Sr.

Dwayne Edward Kemp, Sr., 54, of Lorain, departed this world on Friday, February 5, 2021 at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, covered by the love and prayers of his mother and brother by his side. Dwayne was born September 15, 1966 in Louisville, Kentucky and grew up in Oberlin. At an early age and with many years of Boy Scouts under his belt, he knew at some point in his life he would want to serve his Country by joining the United States Marine Corps. He had a love for all sports, including baseball, football and wrestling!! He was a warrior on the football field, where he would put his body on the line, not just during each game, but practices too! He would have to be reeled in and calmed down during practices because he was often too rough and would occasionally injure a fellow teammate. On the wrestling mat, many opponents feared him, even before the match started! He graduated from Oberlin Senior High School in 1985 and attended Baldwin Wallace University that fall. Within the first year, he felt the call to serve his Country too great to ignore. So, on November 12, 1986, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and signed up for five years infantry right from the start. He said, 'I want to be right in the thick of it!!' His specialty was Field Artillery Cannoneer. While in service to our Country he received several commendations: Rifle Marksman Badge, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with 1 star), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, Letter of Appreciation, Kuwait Liberation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal (with 3 stars), Combat Action Ribbon and Navy Unit Commendation. Aside from serving his Country proudly with honor, Dwayne's greatest joy was the birth of his two children, Alana and Dwayne Jr. Being a father gave him a different perspective on life and made him soften up his Semper Fidelis 'OORAH' approach on everything. He had to allow himself to love and feel emotions that he always fought to contain. He always said that 'emotions are a sign of weakness' and 'weakness can get you hurt!' Well…Alana and DJ, you made your daddy weak at the knees!! Dwayne is survived by his daughter, Alana Kemp; son, Dwayne Edward Kemp, Jr.; mother, LaQuita Kemp; brother, Walter Thomas Kemp; sisters, Vonetta Kemp, Traci Porter, Janet Porter and Patricia Raquel Porter; his fianceé, Rebecca Collett; nephew, Walter Thomas Kemp, Jr.; many uncles, aunts, cousins and stepchildren. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Nellie Jones; father, James Edward Porter and a brother, James Edward Porter, Jr. A private memorial service will be held Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Brown-Robinson Funeral Home, 2652 Broadway Ave., Lorain. Social distancing, COVD-19 safe practices and wearing a mask are required. Online condolences at www.brownrobinson.com