Kemp, Carl Ray

Carl Ray Kemp, 71, of Draper, loving husband, father, brother, and grandfather, avid gardener and golfer, died Tuesday, March 19, 2013. He was born in Barren Springs on December 3, 1941, and was the son of the late Burton and Bessie S. Kemp. He was a member of the Memorial Christian Church in Draper. He served in the United States Air Force from 1960 to 1964, and graduated from Virginia Tech in 1969. Mr. Kemp was a former manager of the Parks/Belk clothing store in Pulaski. He was a former employee of Long-Airdox, Pulaski and Hudson Chevrolet, Pulaski. Mr. Kemp played baseball with the Pulaski Counts in Pulaski. He held many state and local positions with the American Legion and AmVet posts in Pulaski. He was State Vice Commander of Western Zone of Virginia, rep. 68 posts in west zone, two time Commander of seventh district and four time Commander of post seven, and held many other offices at post seven. He was also a charter member of AmVets post 50 and Commander of AmVets post 50. Survivors include his loving wife of 47 years, Bonnie Kemp, of Draper; two daughters, Carla Kemp, of Church Hill, Tenn. and Meg Rice, of Kingsport, Tenn.; granddaughter, Madison Rice, of Kingsport, Tenn.; sidekick, Maxx; and sister and brother-in-law, Bea K. and Elroy Ogle, Pulaski. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday March 23, 2013, from the Stevens Funeral Chapel, Pulaski with the Rev. Bobby Osborne officiating. Visitation will be held Saturday from the funeral home, where the family will receive friends from noon until the service hour. A private burial will be held at a later date from the SWVA Veterans Cemetery, Dublin. Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Pulaski.