Michael Lemp Jr.
March 26, 1942 - August 18, 2023
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Michael Lemp Jr.
March 26, 1942 - August 18, 2023
Obituary
Mike Lemp Jr.
Mike Lemp Jr. of Lake Forest, CA passed away on August 18, 2023 at the age of 81.
Mike leaves behind the love of his life, his wife Carole (Rogers), daughter Michelle, son Michael and daughter-in-law Amy, daughter Stephanie Burke and son-in-law Rory Burke, and son Christopher and daughter-in-law Sarah. He will be affectionately remembered as “Grampy” by his three grandchildren Connor, Reid, and Rachel.
The son of late Mike Lemp Sr. and Marietta Lemp, he is also survived by his brother Stephen and sister-in-law Debra, along with their two children. On his wife’s side, he was uncle to two nephews.
Mike spent his childhood in the vicinity of Syracuse, NY and Toledo, OH. He developed many skills doing odd jobs for farmers. He met Carole in high school and they both attended Bowling Green State University. Mike studied science and engineering and went on to have a long career where he helped companies adapt to the new world of computers by ushering in everything from mainframes to the introduction of person computers. Starting with his first career job as a mainframe programmer for a bank, he was never far from a computer throughout his life.
His dream of owning a hobby shop was fulfilled when he and Carole opened a ceramic art studio in Connecticut. At the age of 60, Mike and Carole sold their home in Connecticut, and moved to California to be with their grandchildren. Before retiring, he and Carole were managers of a residential community.
Mike always maintained a well-equipped home workshop. He enjoyed building, fixing, and tinkering. He was a “maker” decades before such a term even existed. He expressed his affection by building or fixing things for family and friends. Mike always had music playing in the background while busy in his workshop.
Mike was a deep thinker who always enjoyed learning something new. He also enjoyed model airplanes and trains, woodworking, electronics, gardening, stamp collecting, writing poetry, jigsaw puzzles, and building Lego creations with his grandchildren.
He was always happy to play games with friends and family. When his grandchildren and their friends introduced Mike to the world of online game play, he became a billionaire in the virtual realm of RuneScape.
When his family was young he was an active member of his church community. In recent years he was devoted to his Bible study group.
He will be remembered fondly as a husband and father and will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
In accordance with Mike’s wishes, cremation has taken place and his family will be holding a private ceremony, with a celebration of life to follow at a later date.