Joe Malcolm Kemper

1945 - 2024

Midland - Joe Malcolm Kemper of Midland, Texas, passed away on the 30th of December surrounded by family at his home in Midland, Texas. Joe was born in Lubbock, Texas to Ruby and Marvin Kemper on the 9th of January 1945. He graduated Canyon High School in 1963. Joe enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on the 1st of July 1966 and served until the 19th of June 1970 including 6 months in Vietnam, leaving the corps as Sergeant. During his service, Joe was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/device, Vietnam Service Medal w/1 star, and the Good Conduct Medal. Joe married Linda Marie Plylar on the 10th of October 1974, and the two spent 23 years together. After the Marine Corps, Joe worked several jobs until starting at the United States Postal Service as a Rural Letter Carrier on the 3rd of March 1988 from which he retired on the 17th of October 2014. Joe was a NASCAR fan and memorabilia collector. He also collected scale replicas of automobiles, motorcycles and farming equipment. Joe was preceded in death by his mother, Ruby Botts Kemper and his father J. Marvin Kemper. Joe is survived by children Trenton J "TJ" White, Jared and wife Karla Kemper; nephews Brent, Kevin, and Bryan Kemper; great niece Heather Welch; brother J Allen Kemper; sister-in-law Shirley Faught; grandchildren Jacob, Jack and Sydney Kemper; and his only wife Linda Plylar Holzman as well as many other loved ones. Pallbearers were Jared, Jack, Brent, and Bryan Kemper, TJ White, and Peyton Nichols. A graveside service was held Thursday the 2nd of January at 2pm at Fairview Cemetery in Midland, TX, with Emery Strother officiating. Arrangements entrusted to Willowbrook Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Midland. To place online condolences, please visit www.willowbrk.com. The family of Joe wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Hospice of Midland and Visiting Angels. Memorials may be given to either organization.

"Every person carves his spot

And fills the hole with light

And I pray someday I might

Light as bright as he."

-Bridge from "That's My Life" by Conway Twitty