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John Kamps Obituary
John Russel (Jack) Kamps, 88, of Rehoboth, New Mexico went to be with Jesus on June 30th, 2024, at La Vida Llena in Albuquerque. Born on April 25th, 1936, in Rehoboth, New Mexico, he was a devoted husband to Kathleen (Kyse) Faber and a loving father to Bryan, Craig, Kimberly and Janelle.
Jack was a hardworking and dedicated physician. Born in 1936 at Rehoboth, he graduated from Rehoboth Mission School in 1953. Growing up he chased horses around Rehoboth and traveled Navajo land (Dine Bikeyah) with his missionary father, Jacob, playing musical accompaniment for church services. In 1957 he graduated from Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he fondly remembered singing with the Back to God Hour Radio Choir. He graduated from Baylor School of Medicine, Houston in 1961. After completing medical school and internship at Jefferson Davis Hospital in Houston he served as a flight surgeon in the Air Force for two years at McCord AFB in Tacoma, Washington before moving to Denver to start in private practice. In 1965 he relocated with his family to Rehoboth, New Mexico where he was the physician for Rehoboth Mission Hospital. In the late 1960's/early 1970's he was instrumental in planning and building a new Rehoboth Christian Hospital in Gallup, New Mexico. He developed a group of dedicated physicians and medical practitioners, Cibola Medical Group, who served the Gallup community for many years. He served on the Hospital Board and was Medical Director at Gallup-McKinley Christian Hospital, and the Board of Councilors for the New Mexico Medical Society. Jack was known by his patients for his availability and humor. He retired after 42 years of medical service.
Jack's hobbies and interests helped define who he was. He loved to garden, corn and chile being the crops he was most interested in. He and Kyse were small plane pilots and owned a plane for several years. He loved to tinker around the house and fix things. He loved picnics in McGaffey and in the red rocks around Gallup. He enjoyed skiing with family and friends at Purgatory. He worshiped and served at Rehoboth and Bethany Christian Reformed churches. His love for singing in God's house was something he shared with his children, and his children will always remember his beautiful voice.
He is survived by wife Kyse, son Bryan and Linda Kamps, granddaughter Tara and JM DeYoung (Evelynn, Samantha and Parker), grandson Chad and Jenna Kamps (Raelynn and Dawson), grandson Russell Kamps, granddaughter Gina and Billy Martin, son Craig Kamps, granddaughter Chloe Kamps, daughter Kim Kamps and Tom Wynne, grandson Justin and Logan Wynne (Eliza and Kalahan), grandson Egan and Tiffani Briggs Wynne, daughter Janelle and Donovan Vestal, grandchildren Ivan, Audria and Erika Vestal, and brothers Gordon and Phillip. He is preceded in death by brothers Roland, Lloyd, and Edwin.
A memorial service will be held at Bethany Christian Reformed Church, Gallup, NM on August 3rd, 2024 at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be given to the Kamps Family Endowed Scholarship for Rehoboth Christian School families. Please make gifts out to Rehoboth Christian School, PO Box 41, Rehoboth, NM 87322 and indicate in memory of Jack Kamps. You can also give online at https://rehobothchristianschool.factsmgtadmin.com/give/ and indicate the memorial on the payment page.
We find comfort in knowing that Dad is in the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and that his legacy lives on through the faith he taught us, the love he shared and the memories we will cherish.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Kamps
1 Entry
Ron Polinder
August 4, 2024
To the Kamps family--How I wish I could have been with you at the memorial service. I have such fond memories of Jack, more than will fit on this page. But want to add to the story.
This was missing from the obituary, but very important in my life. Jack served at least on term on the Rehoboth Christian School Board, when I was a young administrator. The Board was relatively new, in the 70's, Ed Carlisle was Chair and Jack was secretary. Some of those board members had some things to get off their chest. Ed would let some of that happen and then wisely would say, "Let's get on with agenda." Jack would patiently and wisely listen, one of maybe two or three Anglos, but he would offer his comments sparingly and always at just the right time. Having grown up with Native people, he had the good sense to not dominate, but to respect his fellow board members who at last had a voice in the direction of the school. And to come to the defense of this young principal on occasion. I loved him for it, for how he played his role, which enabled that School Board to grow and flourish. Now all these years later, it has been a really fine School Board, not unrelated to the excellent service of Jack Kamps in those early years. I thank God often for my friend for blessing the broader community and Rehoboth in particular. Much love to your family, Kyse and children and grandchildren. Precious memories!
Ron Polinder
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