Kemper C. Jones
3/4/1971 - 11/19/2010
JONES, Kemper C., SSG, passed away on Friday, November 19, 2010. He was born on March 4, 1971 to Marshall and Tracy Jones in Tallahassee. Kemper began his nearly 19 year career with the Army shortly after graduation from Chamberlain High School in 1989. He first duty station was in Germany. It was during that tour of duty he went on leave and returned to Tampa, where he met his love, Erin (Whitehurst). They were married a short time later. Kemper and Erin moved to Fort Lewis in Washington where he was stationed in an armored battalion. They quickly made life long friends with their fellow military. Over the next several years they were blessed with the births of their loving children as they made their move to Tampa were Kemper was a recruiter. He won the title of Top Recruiter of the Southeast Region. After 9/11, Kemper completed his duty as a recruiter and returned to tanks in the 1-7 CAV located in Fort Hood, TX. Over the next 7 years, he served 3 tours of duty in Iraq. He received many notable awards and decorations including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, eight Army Achievement Medals, five Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Recruiters Badge Silver and Driver and Mechanic Badge.
Kemper is survived by his loving wife of 16 years, Erin; three children, Kasen, Karson and Emma; mother, Tracy Jones of Jacksonville; father, Marshall Jones and step-mother, Carlyle of Minneapolis, MN; three brothers, Marshall Jones, Jr., and his wife, Elise, Fitzgerald and Kyle; two sisters, Chapin Fraser and her husband, Gary and Kaitlyn Jones; in laws, Mary Gullett and her husband, Roger of Blairsville, GA; grandmother, Betty Welte of Floral City; brother in law, Gerald “Rusty” and his wife, Nichole; two sister in law, Leighann Rasberry and her husband, Lee and Stephanie Shuler; nephews, Jack, Jake and Rhett Fraser, Ryan Whitehurst, Christian And Camryn Rasberry; niece and Godchild, Brooke Whitehurst and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
A memorial mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church. Interment will follow at the Florida National Cemetery. A reception will follow at Lexington Oaks Golf Course Restaurant.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kemper Jones Children's Memorial Fund, GTE Federal Credit Union - Account Number 470759097.
|
