KEMP GERALD G

COL Gerald G. Kemp was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 08/11/2013 at the age of 77.7
Corpus Christi, TX
Date of Birth 12/02/1935
Served in the U.S. Marine Corps

More detail on this person: Colonel Gerald G. Kemp, USMC (Ret) Colonel Gerald G. Kemp, USMC (Ret), age 77, accepted permanent change of station orders from his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and took flight to Heaven with Him on August 11, 2013, after a long illness. Col 'Jerry' Kemp was born December 2, 1935 in Ottawa, Illinois to Gene Oliver Kemp and Marie Elizabeth Gengler Kemp. Much of his childhood was spent in Sandwich, Illinois, while his high school and college years were spent in Montana. He graduated from Billings High School in 1953, from Eastern Montana College of Education in 1955, from the University of Montana at Missoula in 1957, and later earned a Master's Degree from American University in Washington D.C. in 1972. In 1957 Jerry was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and entered flight training. In 1959 he received his wings, married Susanne LeBleu of Corpus Christi, and served tours of duty in California, Hawaii, Okinawa, Viet Nam, Washington D.C., Massachusetts, Corpus Christi and New Orleans, Louisiana. Jerry was a commanding officer for 11 of his 30 years of service, including four years as Commander of Marine Air Training Support Group at NAS Corpus Christi. He amassed over 7,400 hours piloting numerous aircraft and was awarded the Bronze Star w/ Combat V, twenty Air Medals, Navy Commendation Medal, two Navy Unit Commendations, RVAF MUC Gallantry Cross w/ Palm, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/ Silver Star, Vietnam Service Medal w/ 5 Stars, and numerous other awards and citations during his service. Upon his retirement in 1987, he was awarded the Legion of Merit for service to his country.Jerry served as an elder at Corpus Christi Christian Fellowship for over 20 years, was a member of the Friday Morning Club, and served on the local Boy Scout Council. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Susanne, daughter Kelly (Tom) Lutman of Slidell, Louisiana, son Mark (Kimberly) Kemp of Corpus Christi, Texas, grandsons Jonathan (Amy), Brian and Stephen Lutman, all of Slidell, Louisiana, and granddaughters Kelsey and Kirsten Kemp of Corpus Christi, Texas, great-grandchildren Deliverance and Justice Lutman, and one sister Dr. Mary St. Germain of Seattle, Washington. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Special thanks go to Legacy Adult Day Care and to Girling Home Health and Hospice for their loving care of Col. Kemp. A memorial service to celebrate Col. Kemp's life will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 1:00 pm at Corpus Christi Christian Fellowship, 6602 S. Staples. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Corpus Christi Christian Fellowship in Col. Kemp's memory.

This information was last updated 01/18/2019

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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