Eric Kemerer

ERIC G. KEMERER

After a prolonged illness, Eric Gordon Kemerer, 62, passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family on July 29, 2025.
Born on a sunny afternoon, August 27, 1963, he was raised in White Cottage, a village south of Zanesville, Ohio and spent his summers at the family’s cabin by the Muskingum River in Morgan County.
Eric graduated from Maysville High School and was a member of the VFW and the F.O.E. (Fraternal Order of Eagles) in Newark.
He labored hard all his life and especially loved his job as a young man, climbing poles as a cable lineman and talking to his clients. He traveled around the country, having fun and experiencing different cultures.
While living in Southern California, he discovered new passions: helping to manage The Manzanita Ranch, a non-profit, where horses were used as therapy for veterans with PTSD, cancer survivors, and at-risk youth. He took pride in feeding, grooming and prepping horses for parades, group visits and trail rides on the Pacific Crest Trail.
He had many talents and interests and like his grandfathers, dad and brother, he could fix most anything that was broken. An avid reader right up to the end, he devoured fiction books. Strong as an ox, he was protective of his loved ones and made sure others knew not to mess with him or his family. He was the best Dad any 2 girls could ask for.
He entertained with jokes, snappy comebacks, Donald Duck impressions, gifting the family with hours of belly laughter, rewarding us with his sweet smile. A music lover, he studied the history of famous musicians and was always the best dance partner at parties and clubs. He was an excellent water-skier, skimming across the river, all the way from the Gaysport Bridge to the Eagleport Dam.
At Christmastime, fully dressed as Santa Claus, jingling bells and merrily shouting, “Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!” bringing excitement and joy to kids and adults, as he handed out toys and candy.
Most of all, he loved and adored his beautiful girls, Jocelyn and Jade, and always wished the best for them. They took gentle care of their daddy right up to the end of his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Paul and Kay Frances (Gordon) Kemerer; grandparents Harry Leroy (Bud) and Carolyn (Ky) (Colborn) Gordon; Paul Franklin and Gladys (Brunton) Kemerer, all from Crooksville, Ohio. And two dogs, both named Jake.
He leaves behind his heartbroken siblings, Lisa (Jim) Wirkner, Jill Roberts, Christopher (Barb) Kemerer; two daughters, eleven nieces/nephews; grandchildren: RayLynn, Owen, Henley; close family friend/mother to his kids, Debbie McGee, devoted cousin Tom Dalrymple and best friend Troy Sterling.
We cry because he’s gone. But oh, so Happy that he was here. We thank him for giving us funny memories like the time an Amish church group showed up outside of the cabin, singing Christmas carols & religious hymns in the freezing cold, all of us watching through the windows. Afterwards, Eric complained that they sang way too many songs and now our turkey dinner was cold so we should all go to their house and sing, “Grandma got run over by a reindeer.” Yep, always laughter in our home.
In our hearts and memories forever, as we say goodbye to Eric, his ashes will be scattered in the Muskingum River near his family’s cabin in a private celebration.
For online condolences: www.williamthompsonandsonfuneralhome.com