Grover Kemp, Jr

Grover Cleveland Kemp, Jr., 91, of Hillsboro passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, July 13, 2018, in Hillsboro. It was Grover’s wish not to have a formal funeral service, but there will be a visitation to celebrate his life on Saturday, August 4, from 3-5 p.m. at the Itasca Community Center at 101 W. Main Street in Itasca.

He was born in Itasca on September 6, 1926, to Grover Cleveland Kemp, Sr. and Sophie Elizabeth Miller Kemp. A 1944 graduate of Itasca High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduation to serve his country during World War II. He served in the Pacific Theater on the USS Gamble, which was sunk off the shore of Iwo Jima just before the marines took the island. Having survived that incident, he continued to serve in the Pacific until the end of the war. He was truly a war hero, though he never wanted to be referred to as one, wishing to save that designation for those who lost their lives in combat.

He attended Austin College in Sherman and finished his degree in Biology at Texas Tech. He later obtained a Master’s Degree in Education at Wesleyan College. Grover married his wife of 67 years, Jemmie Garth Reid, on August 15, 1951. He worked as a teacher and eventually a principal. He later worked as a Tech Rep. Engineer at General Dynamics in Fort Worth, where he worked until his retirement. Grover lived with his family in Fort Worth in the early years, then moved to Brandon in 1967 to the farm he had purchased there years before. He and his wife, Jemmie, continued to live there after his retirement.

Grover was very active in community service and did much volunteer work with the museum in Hillsboro, the Hill County American Heart Association, the Itasca High School Alumni Association, and many other civic organizations. He initiated and led the effort to create the impressive Veterans Memorial in downtown Itasca. He was always seen with a friendly smile and a good sense of humor, and tried to find ways to help elderly individuals or other persons in need.

Preceding him in death were his parents; five siblings, including Wesley Kemp and wife, Marietta, Arbra Kemp and wife, Lela, Violet Kemp Niece and husband, Travis, Oneva Kemp Davis and husband, Dave, and Elmo Kemp; daughter-in-law, Renee Kemp; two nieces, Kay Nelson and Netha Faye Cochran; and two nephews, Tim Kemp and Hal Davis.

Survivors include his wife, Jemmie Kemp; sister, Mary Kemp Williams and husband, Wayne; five sons, Galen Kemp and wife, Cindy, Stephen Kemp, Gary Kemp and wife, Merry, Phillip Kemp and wife, Debbi, and Greg Kemp and wife, Holly; 10 grandchildren, Keri Dumas and husband, Blake, Justin Kemp, Jennifer Kemp, Allison Shannon and husband, John, Kathryn Kemp, Melissa Kemp, Lauren Liotta and husband, John, Madison Kemp, Kelli Kemp and Kaci Kemp; one great grandson, David Dumas; two great-step grandsons, Bailey Shannon and Colin Shannon; sister-in-law, Dean Kemp; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grover C. Kemp, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, c/o Itasca ISD Scholarship Fund, 123 N. College St., Itasca, TX 76055.

Visitation

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM ,Saturday, August 4, 2018
Itasca Community Center
101 W. Main St. Itasca, TX 76055