James Paul Hempler entered fully into eternal life at his home in Port Townsend, WA. Jim was born in Detroit, Michigan to Charles and Mary Waller Hempler and grew up in Michigan with his brother David. He graduated from Belleville High School in Belleville, Michigan; received his B. S. in Theology from Houghton College in Houghton, NY; earned his Masters of Divinity in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA; and his Masters in Public Administration from University of Southern California. His ministry was caring for the elderly as the Administrator of Retirement Homes in both Northern and Southern California for 36 years. He served the last 18 years of his career as the Administrator of Los Gatos Meadows in Los Gatos, California. He loved and respected all of his residents, and they loved and respected him.
Jim is remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother. He was a man of deep Christian faith who knew life can be hard, but that God is always a Good Father Who is with us throughout our lives in good times and difficult ones. His ministry also included being a clergy spouse to his wife of 34 years, The Rev. Portia Mather Hempler, an Episcopal priest in San Jose, CA. Jim grew up in the Wesleyan Methodist tradition playing his cornet to accompany services from a young age. As an adult he joined the Episcopal Church and was active in working with his wife in ministry. Throughout his life he enjoyed playing his cornet to accompany church services, in the last few years with Westhope Presbyterian Church, Saratoga, CA and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Port Townsend, WA.
Friends remember Jim as full of life, with a deep spirit who approached all of life with open arms. He was constantly striving to find out more about the world and to deepen his relationship with God in Christ. He loved being in nature, gardening, woodworking and traveling with his family. He enjoyed all types of music. Jim was a singular gem who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Carol; his daughter, Suzannah; his son Steven; and his father-in-law, The Rev. H. Lester Mather.
He is survived by his wife, The Rev. Portia Mather Hempler; his son Tom Hempler and his wife Rosette; his grandchildren Cassandra Hempler, Alex Hempler, and Anthony Hempler, his great-granddaughter, Maka; and his brother David Hempler and niece Crystal Brown along with many relatives in both the Hempler and Waller families.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Port Townsend, WA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 753, Port Townsend, WA 98368 or to Habitat for Humanity.
Family and friends may share memories of Jim and sign the online guestbook at www.bradley-kosec.com.
