Craig Gerard Kempinski, loved by so many, tragically passed unexpectedly on November 9, 2020 in Lincolnton, NC. He was 49 years old. Please keep Craig in your prayers and for the repose (eternal resting) of his soul. He is in Peace and Love with God and no longer in pain.

Craig was devout Catholic and incredibly intelligent and so mechanically inclined, he held multiple licenses in Fire-Alarm systems, electrical, HVAC and plumbing and could fix any kind of engine and solve every problem by thinking out of the box.  He was the funniest guy to hang out with and could impersonate people perfectly - and his sound affects were amazing. He always trusted in Jesus no matter how many calamities struck him and there were many.

Craig is survived by his beloved mother, Marilyn Williams (Larry Williams, step-father) of Clayton, NC; his sisters Kim Mayes and Kris Kempinski, his brother-in-law, Greg Mayes; and his niece and nephews, Autumn Wiseman, Addison Wiseman and Nicholas Mayes all from Murrells Inlet, SC. He is survived by three Uncles, Bill, Jerry and Gerald; Aunt Janice; cousins Alisa, Andria, Lauren, Chip, Matt and Megan; (former spouse) Lettie Best his best friends Robert and Ericka Marra and their son Trent as well as all of his other beloved friends and family. 

Craig loved life and his family and he was a natural born caregiver. He was looking forward to spending this Thanksgiving with his family. He helped take care of our Grandfather, then Grandmother and years later he cared for his step-mother and our father (William Kempinski) for years. This selfless action of his caregiving took his health and time and other relationships, but he was a caregiver first and had an uncanny ability to keep people calm and redirect thoughts in the midst of awful dementia of his Father especially. He was very in-tune with his family. He always had a sixth sense and would call us, his sisters, when we needed consoling - even when no one else knew and without his prior knowledge. He was and still is, just that special.

He would and has given others the shirt off his back.  He worked for FEMA during natural disasters and was the yard-lead directing hundreds of FEMA contractors.  He believed the best in people.  He loved his family beyond measure. He enjoyed his cats at home and loved putting together models of every kind. Planes, trains and automobiles.

To think of not talking to him or seeing his beautiful smile and eyes light up the room is unbearable for our family. He is and will be deeply missed by his friends, family and all who knew him.

Jesus We Trust In You

The Bible is clear that when we are in Christ, nothing can separate us from Him, not even death. Nothing can separate the true believer from God’s love in Christ. “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

Scripture says clearly that those redeemed by God have been forgiven for all sins, past, present, and future. “And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses… having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way having nailed it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-14)

Despair is not more powerful than the saving grace of Jesus.  “My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my Father’s Hand.” (John 10:27-30)

Jesus said that the new life we have is eternal, not temporal and we will never die. Paul tells us that we’ve been sealed with the Holy Spirit and that our calling will never be revoked. “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” Ephesians 1:13.

Rest In Peace Craig 

Funeral arrangements are listed on this site.