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Joe Kemp Obituary
Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Calvary Lutheran Church, 7620 Baker Blvd., Richland Hills, 817-284-8724.
Memorial: In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Disabled American Veterans, Bluebonnet Chapter 20, 431 Fulton, Fort Worth, Texas 76104, or a charity of choice.
Joe Allen Kemp was born Nov. 12, 1951, in Fort Worth. He attended Birdville High School where he enjoyed playing football for the varsity team. He joined the Marine Corps and acted as crew chief on the CH-53 helicopter. Joe later attended Texas State Technical College, where he was a DJ for radio station K-95 Kangaroo. He graduated with an associate's degree in lasers-electro-optics engineering technology and commercial art and advertising. He was an employee of BAE Systems, for the last 27 years as an electrical engineer. Joe designed support equipment for the F-16s in its manufacturing and design phases. He was a devoted husband to his wife of 17 years and loving father of his two daughters. Joe was an avid bowler and enjoyed jogging.
His family would like to thank Drs. Nazarian, Colquitt, Redrow, Freeman, Syed, Danhof, Lander and Ellis, Covenant Care Hospice and others who have cared for him during his battle with cancer. He will be deeply missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Marzee Dorsett, and brother, James “Jim� R. Kemp.
Survivors: Wife, Mabel Chang; daughters, Helen and Judy; son, Joe Allen Kemp Jr.; brothers, Norman Kemp and wife, Marilyn, of Hurst, Jack Kemp and wife, Cindy, of Plano; sister-in-law, Jo Kemp of Bedford; granddaughters, Jade and Serenity; cousin, Yvonne Jenkins of Argyle; in-laws, Lucy Huang and Zu Chang, Charles Chang and wife, Fanny Kuo, Kevin Chang and Saritar Wu, and Chen Ming Chang of Taiwan; numerous nieces and nephews; and faithful companions, Buffy and Wonder.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joe Kemp
Gary Kemp
October 26, 2008
Mable, Helen and Judy,
We love Joe and we love you.
Hello!
Jack and Cindy Kemp
October 25, 2008
My Brother “Little” Joe was a Very Big Man
by Jack Kemp
I was four when he came home with Mother from the hospital. That day my life changed forever. He was my baby brother and I loved him.
As children we were playmates and friends and competitors all at the same time. We were brothers. As with most older brothers I had to accept that Joe wanted to do everything I did and he usually tried very hard to go everywhere that I went. Of course, there were times that this just drove me crazy. Sometimes I would try to run to get away from him. But that never worked. He could always run faster than me. He ran so fast he left me in the dust. Sometimes when our brothers Jimmy and Norman and their families would leave our house Joe would try to out run their cars. He would run as hard as he could until they were out of sight. You could tell that he really thought that he could run fast enough to keep them from leaving. And in a way he did because all of them remember his love for them until this day.
As boys we lived in an era of freedom that is not possible today. We were free to go and do whatever we wanted. Often during the long hot summers, we would leave the house early in to morning to explore the several hundred acres of park that backed to our house. We would run and play and catch crawdads and make tree forts and play army or cowboys and indians and just be boys. We never worried about coming home until Mom would send our dachshund, Rita, to find us deep in the park. Then we would hurry home for supper, get cleaned up, watch our small black and white TV for a while and then fall asleep under the cool breeze of our water cooler only to wake up early and start all over again. It was truly a wonderful life and Joe was the best brother a boy could have.
Our Mother was a very unique woman. She was very strong and always dedicated to her four boys. She insisted on honesty and integrity from all of us and she raised us all to be men of honor. But Joe was her baby and she always worried about him. She was determined to make sure that he had all he needed to become a strong man. She truly loved each of us equally, but there was always a special place in her heart for Joe. I am sure that he is with her now and she is comforting him with her loving touch as he comforts her with his strong hands.
When Joe was four, Clyde came into our life and became the only father that Joe ever knew. He was a kind and gentle man and I can now see many of his traits reflected in the way Joe lived his life. He raised us as his own and Joe and I loved him very much. When we lived in Poly Clyde would make sure that we were up and dressed and headed for Sunday School and Church every Sunday morning. As I look back, that foundation in worshipping God and believing in Christ is the greatest gift he ever gave us. As boys we attended Harmony Baptist Church and we were saved and baptized and now Joe is enjoying the fruits of that most meaningful relationship. Now he is wrapped in the warm and loving arms of our Savior.
For many years our loving name for Joe was “Little Joe”. This wasn’t because he was so little, it was just that Jimmy married Aunt Jo and we needed a way to distinguish one from the other. So he was “Little Joe” and she was “Big Jo”. As Joe grew into a man it became clear that he was no longer “Little Joe”. He was truly a man of honor and he served his country in a great time of need. He was Joe Kemp, United State Marine and all of us were very proud of him.
As a young man Joe struggled with direction in his life. He tried many things. He studied lasers and electronics. He tried art and painting. He was even a radio personality for a while. He struggled with love and life and his Mother worried about him. That all changed as he eventually found direction in his professional life and a soul mate and family to share his personal life. Twenty years ago, he met Mabel. She and their daughters, Helen and Judy, became the family that Joe needed to complete his life. As a family they have accomplished more than most can imagine. With Mabel’s quiet, loving spirit and Joe’s positive attitude and unbounded optimism they created a life together that was truly wonderful. Next year, Helen and Judy will graduate from the University of Texas and we all know they will move on to be great contributors to our country and the world. “Little Joe” indeed became a very big man.
I have learned that spending time with the ones I love is by far the most important thing in my life. My parents and my brother Jimmy and now my brother Joe and our nephew Glenn are spending time together with our Lord in heaven. I miss them all but I will be with them again and we will celebrate our love for each other and for Christ our Savior.
The last thing I have to say to Joe today is….. “Hello”. He will understand.
Hubert Garrett
October 13, 2008
My sympathy and prayers are with your family at this time. I enjoyed working with and knowing Joe for more than 25 years. Joe was a great guy to be around and your family can be very proud of him and all he stood for. We'll see him again!
Norman and Marilyn Kemp
October 13, 2008
Dear Mabel, Helen and Judy,
The three of you are the greatest blessing in Joe's life. He loves you
all, dearly.
We are sure that "Little Joe", Jimmy and Clyde are keeping up with the "new" COWBOYS, all the while Grandmaw Marzee just wants to talk, visit and serve her yummy, "heavenly" chocolate pie!
We share in the loss of your dear Joe, my youngest brother. We feel your pain.
May you & the girls feel God's loving arms around you, in comfort and peace, duing this most difficult time.
Much love and blessings,
John and Linda Loggins
October 11, 2008
Dear Mabel:
It was through our dogs that we met, and we were blessed to know Joe for the short time that we did. He was and is a fine man, and will be missed by many. Our prayers are with you and the girls, and Buffy and Wonder. Love from all the Loggins.
Donna Lee
October 10, 2008
When I was a little girl and stayed a couple of days at grandma's house, Joe had to give up his bed for me. Each day I believe, I found a ring or trinket hanging on a plant or something in the bookcase headboard for me to find as if a fairy had been there. This facinated me.
Later in life teen years Robin will remember when we got caught rolling the house of the girl from my school, (Joe and I laughed about this last year) The dad pulled up caught us and kids scattered leaving Joe in the van (he drove us)
The dad detained him.
Also every time we drove away after a visit to grandmas Joe would race us out down the street. He could really run and us kids in the back seat just screaming with joy!
I can see him now. I pray that today Joe is running the race of his dreams, all my love to my fairy.....Donna
patty singler
October 10, 2008
oct. 10,2008 we are sorry for your loss. we remember meeting you and joe at norm,s 70th. god bless ,patty and bill singler memphis tn.
David & Rebecca Cyphers
October 10, 2008
Mabel,
Ever since we ran into you and Joe that day we've thought about you and prayed for you, and we will continue to do that for you and your family to help you get through this time.
Your friends,
Chris Biles
October 9, 2008
Mabel,
I've always thought you and Joe were about the finest two people I've ever had the good fortune to know. If ever there is something I can do, whether big or small, I want to do it.
I thank God above for his life; and I thank you for making it a happy one for him.
I love you.
Dennis Van Order
October 9, 2008
Mabel: Joe will be greatly missed, which says a lot about how he lived. I pray that God will heal your hearts and return joy to your lives.
Norman & Marilyn Kemp
October 8, 2008
"Goodbye", "Hello!"
We love you "Little Joe."
Don Matthews
October 8, 2008
Mabel and family, I offer condolescences from my family to yours. Joe was such a positive influence in our office and will be missed immensely. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Rhonda Kemp
October 8, 2008
Mabel,
Joe's spirit was an inspiration to all of us. I know his wonderful attitude had so much to do with the love he found with you and the girls. You are all in our thoughts and prayers and Joe will always be a part of our heart.
Brad Draper
October 8, 2008
Mabel - It was a pleasure for me to know Joe as a co-worker...but more so as a friend. I will sorely miss him, along with his smile and encouraging words, here at work.
Thoughts and Prayers for you, Helen and Judy.
Sandy Snell
October 8, 2008
What I will remember most about Joe is his big beautiful smile. We will all miss him here at BAE. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
KD Gwinner
October 8, 2008
Joe was such an inspiration to us all. No matter what his circumstances, he always managed to smile and to encourage others. We already miss him a great deal, and will be praying for Joe's family to be at peace and to know that he is in a better place.
Baker Hughes
October 7, 2008
I saw Joe Allen's obit in the Star Telegram and was touched by his accomplishments and contribution to our nation. 17 yrs faithful to his wife, and a devoted father. That says alot right there. Not to mention 27 years with 1 company, and a stint in the Marines. I know you will miss this fine man. In those lonely moments, remember, Jesus is Always Faithful. 2 Cor 1:4-8
A brother and friend. Semper Fi.
Kelley Williams
October 7, 2008
Mabel and Girls-
I pray that with each passing day your sorrow will ease and that eventually only happy memories remain. Joe was a very kind man and will be dearly missed by all that knew him.
Jean Ann Harris
October 7, 2008
Mabel,
I am so sorry for your loss. I am praying for you and your family.
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