Jack Kemp

Jack Kemp passed away peacefully at home in Las Cruces on Saturday, July 30, 2011 after a long struggle with emphysema. He was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on January 27, 1937. His family moved to Roswell in 1945 where he graduated from Roswell High School in 1955. He was predeceased by his parents Sam and Jean Kemp, his brother Dale Kemp, and his daughter Rebecca Kemp. He met and married his wife Fran while in the Army at Ft. Wainwright, Alaska and after discharge from the Army they returned to Las Cruces to attend NMSU. After moving to Texas and Oklahoma during the 1960s they returned to live in Alamogordo, and then back to Las Cruces as manager of EZ-TV and Appliances. After retiring from the retail business he gave back to the community by working with Families & Youth, Inc. (FYI) as an Employment Specialist, helping at-risk youth to find jobs and find fulfillment in earning a living. He is survived by his wife Fran and three sons and their families: Larry and Nikki Kemp and Emily of Las Cruces; Jeff and Kathy Kemp and Gregory of Albuquerque; and Chris and Lorraine Kemp and Kayla, Emma, and Maya of Frisco, Texas, all of whom were here to celebrate Jack and Fran's 50th wedding anniversary in April. The celebration of Jack's life will begin with a gathering of family and friends at 10 am on Friday, August 5 at Getz Funeral Home, 1410 Bowman Ave, with funeral service to begin at 11am, followed by inurnment at St. James Episcopal Church Columbarium in Mesilla Park. Arrangements by Getz Funeral Home and Getz Family Crematory corner of Solano and Bowman Ave., Las Cruces, NM 526-2419. To sign the local online guest book, go to www.GetzCares.com