Kemp Johnson, Sr.

Kemp Johnson, Sr., 87, passed away Friday, May 26, 2017 at Urbandale Health Care Center in Urbandale. Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines with visitation from 10 am to 12 pm.

Kemp was born November 30, 1929 to Jack and Roselle Johnson in Carrollton, Georgia. In 1953, Kemp married Virginia White and from this union were five children. He moved to Des Moines in 1955 and worked various jobs throughout the years. He was a jack of all trades and liked to build things with his hands.

Kemp enjoyed fishing, hunting with his dogs, gardening, motorcycles, or anything else that would keep him moving. He enjoyed watching westerns, listening to the blues, and keeping up on his favorite tv shows, Matlock and Perry Mason.

There wasn’t a stranger Kemp did not meet. He had a heart of gold and would help anyone he could. Before Kemp’s health declined, he was a caregiver for a dear friend, Mr. Kunkle, for many years.

In 1986 Kemp married Jackie Pearson and from this union were two children.

Kemp was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Roselle Johnson; brothers, Lewis, Wylie, Sam, and Horace; son, Kenneth Johnson; and grandson, Jerome Reid.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Jessica and Britney, Delores Lankford, Kemp (Terry), and Darryl, Kim (Erwin) Jones; siblings, Ida Mae Wince of Chattanooga, TN, Nellie Green of Houston, TX, George (Joan) Johnson of Denver, CO, and Jack (Joanne) Johnson of Villa Rica, GA; grandchildren, Alonzo (Kia) Smith of Denver, CO, Larissa Reid, Traci (Dan) Gross of Ann Arbor, MI, Andrea, Erin, and Erwin II Jones, Simone Williams, and Hayden Young; great-grandchildren, Alonzo, Mya, Amari Smith of Denver, CO, Jamari Clarkson, Cayden Williams, and Isaiah Gross; and a host of other extended family and friends, especially his former spouse, Jackie Johnson, who has been there till the end.

Kemp will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

Condolences may be expressed at
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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