Earl S. Wemple, III

Wemple, Earl S. III “Bud” Retired Major US Army, passed away September 2, 2025 while sleeping peacefully at his home in Riverview, Florida. He was preceded in death by both his parents, Earl S. II and Jean Wemple; and his sibling Patrick Wemple. Earl is survived by his wife, Laura Claire Wemple; children Earl S. Wemple IV, Allyson L. Wemple, and Laura B. Wemple; grandchildren Patrick Henley and Ashby Henley; siblings Gail Coston, Jean Rogers, and Timothy Wemple. Bud loved nothing more than to laugh (except for maybe his family). He loved to tease and joke around with a gleam of mischief, a wry grin, and a chuckle. Fishing and guns were by far his favorite hobbies although poking around with new tech took an easy third. His warmth and kind heart will be missed. There will be a Viewing Friday, September 12, 1-3pm followed by a Service 3-4pm at Sun City Center Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the USO: Honor Their Service. Celebrate Their Legacy.

Following are beautiful words written by Tarik Kapetanovic. Tarik is one of the many adopted family members Earl gathered throughout his life. Tarik’s account perfectly captures the truth of our friend and father, Earl.

September 2nd, 2025 – a gray day, torn-up ground on the farm, new kitchen tiles still smelling of the factory, awkwardly gleaming under my fingertips. The little things you remember when your world cracks in half. The phone rang. From across the ocean came the fragile, thin voice of Allyson Wemple, calling from distant America: “Dad has passed away.” And then tears. Hers. Mine.

Earl Wemple. He was not supposed to leave. He was a pillar, a man of stature, a giant, a symbol of the America of my childhood, just as my Bosnia was his. When the war stripped me of childhood, he took me by the hand – not metaphorically, but literally – and led me to Disneyland. A man who teaches you, not by lecturing, but by living. A man who never gave bad advice, never turned his back on you.

While Allyson wept, I saw him standing before me. I heard his voice: “Boy, don’t cry.” But how can you not cry when you lose someone who was teacher, brother, and father all at once? His America lost a patriot, a fighter, a humanist. The Wemple family lost a husband, father, and grandfather. And I – I lost a friend, an "insan". That word doesn’t translate easily: "insan" in Bosnian – a human being in the most beautiful and profound sense of the word.

Today is September 3rd. The phone won’t ring. I won’t hear his voice reminding me to walk straight, wisely, upright. All that remains is his great image in my eyes and a sense of emptiness that knows no geography. I walk on this earth, and he walks above it. I with steps, he with God and the angels – and I’m sure he will win them over with his kindness and charm, just as he won over people on Earth.

Earl Wemple – a giant of a man, an "insan" you never forget. The one who shows you yesterday, leads you through today, and points you toward tomorrow. The one who makes you believe that somewhere above us, circles are drawn, and that one day we will meet again, when our steps end but friendship remains.