BRANCH MILLS, MAINE--James Kempton Tobey, 89, passed away July 28, 2012 at Maine General Medical Center, Augusta Campus, after a short illness. He was born March 17, 1923, in Palermo, Maine, son of Betsey (Carr) and James R. Tobey. He graduated from Erskine Academy in 1941. Kempton served in the US Army in Japan and was honorably discharged in 1946. Kempton married Roberta Glidden on June 8, 1947, and they recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. In the early years of their marriage, Kempton was a logger, farmer, and general contractor. Trading in a Ford car for a bulldozer in the early 50's, Kempton Tobey, General Contractor, was established. Years later, son Robin joined Kempton in the business, forming Kempton Tobey and Son in 1978, the same year Kempton and his son Robin built Tobey’s General Store, one of Kempton’s life-long dreams. Even after selling the store, new owners proudly kept the name. Kempton was committed to his community. He served as Road Commissioner, Planning Board Member, and Selectman of China, Maine. Kempton was a member of the Sheepscot Fish & Game. He was a National Grange Member for nearly sixty years. The American Legion was a particular passion for Kempton who had been a member for nearly fifty-three years. From 1982-87, Kempton served as a Trustee for Erskine Academy. In 1986, The Modern Woodmen awarded him the “Modern Woodmen of the Year for conscientious and dedicated service to his community.” Erskine Academy chose Kempton for its 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. Always active, Kempton, affectionately known as “Bumpa”, ‘retired’ at seventy years old, but could be found bulldozing, snowplowing, or mowing his lawn for years. In fact, Kempton still mowed his lawn until recently. Playing cards, watching the Boston Red Sox, following horse pulling, handing out gum to his “little customers”, showing his 1920 International Tractor, and hosting the annual Tobey ‘lobstah’ feed, were all important interests and activities. Kempton is survived by his wife Roberta; his children, Noreen Golden and her husband Peter, Letricia Sears and her husband Jack, Robin Tobey and his wife Barbara, and Jill Tobey and her husband Bill McFarland; twelve grandchildren, Tobey Farrington and Andrew Golden; Brett Sears and Janna Sears; Ethan Tobey, Nolan Tobey, and Deidre Tobey; Benjamin Willoughby and Brandy Sarian, Chad McFarland, Scott McFarland, and Michael McFarland; ten great-grandchildren, Andrew, Ashley, Jillian, Priscilla, Lydia, Levon, Sophia, Grace, Ethan, and Mason; his sisters in law, Shirley Tobey and Polly Tobey; a very special granddog, Gretel; and many nieces and nephews. Kempton is predeceased by his siblings, Gerald, Leland, Faylene, Thelma, Rowena, Elwood “Jack”, Ramona, Priscilla, and Elaine. Visiting hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 31 at Palermo Christian Church, 322 Branch Mills Rd., Palermo, Maine where a funeral service will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 1with Pastor Ed Hatch officiating. Burial will follow at Branch Mills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Legion Malcolm Glidden Post 163, PO Box 183, Palermo, ME 04354.