Raymond Phillip Lemp
COOKS — Raymond Phillip Lemp, 89, of Cooks, Mich. was called home and entered into eternal rest in Heaven on February 18, 2024. He was born on September 26, 1934, in Mt. Clemens, Mich. to the former Mildred Dunn and Reynold Lemp. He attended schools in Mt. Clemens and Cooks.
Ray left home at an early age and found himself working on a farm in Cooks. He returned to Mt. Clemens and there met the former Sharon Kay Rocker and wed on October 10, 1958. Ray worked as a plumber and electrician and eventually went on to work at Chrysler as a tool and die specialist. Ray felt the draw away from city life and wanted to return to farming. Coming full circle, Ray and Sharon packed up with their three sons and made their way to the U.P. and purchased the farm he worked on as a teen. Initially, Ray raised cattle but switched to potato farming.
Ray was a faithful servant of his Lord and Savior; he heard God’s word and acted on it and was immersed in his Christian faith. In his early years, he worked with Christian Service Brigade serving the youth of his community. He was an active member of Bethel Baptist Church in Manistique, serving as a Sunday school teacher and music director. He was a deacon and eventually became the Deacon Chairman of the board.
He was skilled and talented at woodworking; some would say a perfectionist. He created intricately designed wooden toys and steamer trunks for his family and built custom cabinetry. Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, and birdwatching. He was a marksman, deemed by the NRA. Later in life, Ray enjoyed listening to Christian radio and reading and learning about Jewish history.
Ray is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Sharon Lemp; sons, Kevin Lemp of Cooks, Mich. and Phillip (Bethany) Lemp of Charlotte, N.C.; brother, Reynold Lemp of Wintergarden, Fla.; sister, Marilyn (Tom) Craft of St. Clair Shores, Mich.; 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred and Reynold Lemp; son Michael Lemp and brother Paul Lemp.
A visitation will take place on Saturday, February 24, from 10 to 12 p.m. at the Bethel Baptist Church of Manistique, and a 12 p.m. memorial service to follow with Pastor Joseph Crowder officiating.
Ray’s time on earth was dedicated to sharing the teachings of Christ. Ray loved his family deeply, led by example and walked by faith, not by sight. He will be dearly missed but his loved ones celebrate the fact that he is Home, safe in the arms of Jesus.
Memorial donations in Ray’s honor may be directed to Bethel Baptist Church.
Fausett Family Funeral Homes is assisting the family with arrangements.