Stephen Garth Kemp

Stephen Garth Kemp passed away Tuesday September 13, 2022, at the age of sixty-eight. It was Stephen’s wish not to have a formal funeral service, but there will be a visitation on Friday, September 23, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Marshall and Marshall in Hillsboro to celebrate his life. Stephen was born on December 5, 1953, in Cleburne, Texas to Grover and Jemmie Kemp and was the second of five boys. His family moved from Fort Worth to a farm near Brandon when Stephen was a teenager. Stephen graduated with honors from Hillsboro High School in 1972. He was active in the student council, band and National Honor Society. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Texas at Austin in 1977.He began his career as a pharmacist working for Skillern’s Drug Store in Dallas. He later worked for Revco, Dunlap’s and Apple Tree pharmacies. Most of his career was with Walmart Pharmacy both in Bellmead and Hillsboro. In his 36-year career as a pharmacist, he most enjoyed the interactions with people in the communities he served.

Stephen married Vicki René Dollar on April 4, 1978, and the couple raised two children, Keri and Justin. He prided himself on putting three members of his family through college at the same time. Stephen may be best remembered for his sense of humor and his ability to have a conversation with anyone. Stephen enjoyed catching sharks and was deft at handling rattlesnakes. He enjoyed spending time with his brothers, including fishing on the family farm and watching UT football games. He loved the Christmas season and eagerly awaited the holiday decorations to be put up by Halloween night. Listening to Christmas music in July was not unusual in the household.

After the passing of his wife in 2009, Stephen spent his later years in Hillsboro, Waco and Biloxi, Mississippi. Whether it was a midnight alligator tour on Caddo Lake with his daughter and future son-in-law or deep-sea fishing in the Gulf with his son, he was always up for an adventure. Stephen cherished visiting with his grandson, who called him “Pop.”

Stephen is preceded in death by René, his wife of 30 years, and his parents. He is survived by his daughter Keri Dumas and husband Blake of Allen; son Justin Kemp of Eddy; grandson David Dumas; four brothers: Galen Kemp and wife Cindy of Waxahachie; Gary Kemp and wife Merry of Woodway; Phillip Kemp and wife Debbi of Stillwater; and Greg Kemp and wife Holly of Pantego; numerous nieces and a nephew.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a Hill County-based charity in the interest of giving to the community in which he was raised, such as Hillsboro Heritage League (PO Box 2, Hillsboro, TX 76645) or Mission Hillsboro Medical Clinic (PO Box 971, Hillsboro TX 76645).