Ken M. Temple, Sr. - Obituary

t is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kendal Mark Temple, 79, who departed this earth on January 7, 2025 in Edgewater, Maryland. Ken was born on July 7th, 1945 in Washington, DC. He was the beloved child of James and Edith Temple. He enjoyed a banana cake on his birthday every year. Growing up, Ken attended Prince George’s County schools, graduating from Northwestern H.S in 1963. Ken was a featured drum major with the Northwestern H.S band. He participated twice in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. After graduating, Ken went on to be the manager for S. Klein Shoe Company in Greenbelt, MD. Ken was hard working and had a lifelong passion for building and fixing things. He turned his attention to home remodeling and eventually began his own business as a builder/developer. Ken built many homes in Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties, including the Truman Manor Townhouse development. Ken was also National Sales Manager representative for Velocity Power Boats. Ken married Barbara Alice Thomas in 1963 and they welcomed two children, Lori Marie and Kendall Mark Jr. They made their home in College Park and Beltsville, MD. In 1988, Ken went on to marry Bonnie Bartel and became a stepfather to Julia Bartel. Ken was enthusiastic about his faith in Jesus Christ. He served in various ministries throughout his life in many different congregations. He touched many lives as part of the Car Care Ministry that provided oil changes to struggling single mothers. Ken was an active member of Chesapeake Christian Fellowship where he served in the broadcast ministry (www.4thelord.org) as a camera operator on the tech team. He faithfully served on the Winter Relief ministry to the homeless and with the Men’s Ministry by assisting with repair projects. Ken is survived by his children, Lori Austin and Kendall (Kathy) Temple Jr.; his stepdaughter, Julia Bartel; his eight grandchildren, Joshua (Jillian) Temple, Tirza Austin, Jaime (Nicholas) Ownby, Lydia (Sam) Venuti, Matthew Temple, Abigail (Dan) Rose, Sarah Temple, and Berith Austin; and two step-grandchildren, Zach and Ray Adams. “Super Grandpa” also had nine great-grandchildren, Avery Temple, Pearl Austin, Audrey Temple, Sophia Temple, Eli Temple, Carter Ownby, Jackson Venuti, Carson Ownby, and Bruce Seals, III. He also leaves behind his sister, Tina (Ron) Yingling; his niece, Cara Risher; his great-nephew, Christopher Risher; and his great-niece, Marilyn Risher. Ken was preceded in death by his father, James Temple; his mother, Edith Temple; his brother, James Temple Jr.; and his nephew, Christopher Badaczewski. Ken will be remembered most for his compassion and willingness to help anyone he saw with a need. Family and friends think of Ken at every crab feast and family gathering. He often said, “The worst crab is still better than the best steak.” He will always be with us during every DIY project and crab picked. “It’s all good!” Family and friends are invited to celebrate Ken's life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD, on Tuesday, January 14, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm., and at Chesapeake Christian Fellowship, 377 W. Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD on Wednesday, January 15 from 10:30 am until his funeral service begins at 11 am. The interment will be held at 2:30 pm at Fort Lincoln Cemetery, Brentwood, MD