CDR John Robert Kemble, USN (Ret.), 97, passed away Saturday, October 10, 2026, in St. Charles, IL of natural causes.

John was born in Cedar Rapids, IA on January 4, 1929, to William R. and Ruth Moorman Kemble. He was the fifth born of seven children. His early years were spent in Marion and Des Moines, IA.

In 1946, he enlisted in the Navy. After “boot camp”, he attended Naval Academy Prep School at Naval Training Center Bainbridge, MD and qualified for a fleet appointment to the United States Naval Academy. He entered the USNA in June 1947 and graduated with the Class of 1951, “second to none” as a member of Third Company.

His first duty station was on USS HELENA, CA-75, serving two deployments to East Asia. He joined First Marine Division as a Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer in Korea in 1953. He next went to flight training in Pensacola, FL and received advanced training in Corpus Christi, TX. He received his wings of gold in October 1955.

While in Pensacola, he met and fell in love with Margaret Joy McCaskill of Jay, FL. They were married in Pensacola October 7, 1955. They had three children, Dana, John Jr and Mark.

John was assigned to Attack Squadron 55 at Naval Air Station Miramar as his first flying duty. He deployed on USS HANCOCK, CVA 19 and USS BENNINGTON, CVA 20, flying A-1 and FJ-4B aircraft. In 1959, he transferred to NAS Whiting Field as an instructor in Training Squadron 3, flying the T-28.

From 1962 to 1964, John served on USS INTREPID, CVS-12 in the Air Department based in Norfolk, VA. He joined Fleet Composite Squadron 4, NAS Oceana, VA. During this 4-year assignment, he served as the Operations Officer, Executive Officer and Commanding Officer. He flew both the F-8 and S-2 aircraft.

The next duty station was on USS KITTY HAWK, CVA-63, home ported in San Diego, CA. He served as Air Officer (Air Boss) from 1969 to 1971. During this time the ship deployed to Southeast Asia twice and underwent an extensive overhaul in Bremerton, WA. John’s final duty station as Ships Training Officer on the staff of Commander, Naval Air Forces, Pacific Fleet, based on NAS North Island, CA. He retired in February 1973, in the rank of Commander. During his service he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal. His military service was an important part of his life and reflected his sense of duty, courage and commitment to something greater than himself.

John and his family lived in Coronado, CA after his retirement from the Navy. He was a Logistics Engineer with General Dynamics. In 1985, he joined Northrop Aircraft in Los Angeles in a similar role. He retired fully in 1990. In 1992, John and Joy moved to Pensacola, FL where they remained until driven out by Hurricane Ivan. They resettled in Geneva, IL in 2005.

In Geneva, John was active in the United Methodist Church of Geneva, becoming a Certified Lay Speaker and participating as a liturgist, choir member, mentor, and a member of various committees. He enjoyed golf, visiting family, in particular, his grandkids, Graham’s chocolates and popcorn!

After 55 years of marriage Joy passed away in 2012 from Alzheimer’s Disease. John was her loving caregiver for the last 10 years of her life. John was blessed to meet Berniece M. Jones and they married in 2014. They continued to live in Geneva and enjoyed traveling creating a lively life together in their 80s! Berniece passed away in 2021. John’s oldest son, John Kemble, Jr (LuAnn) and great granddaughter, Isabella Marie Strazza and Berniece’s daughter, Laura Deutsch (Billy) also preceded him in death.

John is survived by his daughter, Dana (Anthony) Dorsch; son, Mark (Veronica) and daughter-in-law, LuAnn (John) Kemble; step-daughters, Sandra Jones and Rebecca (Bill) LeFavbre; 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren with another on the way; brother, Peter Kemble and sisters-in-law, Barbara Kemble and Evelyn McCaskill along with many nieces and nephews. John lived his faith. His relationship with God guided his thoughts and actions and was evident in the way he treated others, the values he held high and the love he shared with those around him. His legacy is one of faith, integrity and devotion to family. He will be greatly missed and cherished always.

A funeral cortege will depart Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, Pensacola, FL at 10:30am for a graveside service that begins at 11:00am Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, FL, with Rev. Bobby Ellisor officiating and full US Navy Honors.

A Celebration of Life services will be held 10:00am Friday, November 6, 2026, at United Methodist Church of Geneva, 211 Hamilton St, Geneva, IL 60134, with Rev. Rob Hamilton officiating.