Obituary of Matthew Boyd Kemp Jr.

KEMP, MATTHEW B., JR., 90, PASSED AWAY MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2022. BORN IN RALEIGH, N.C., 3-11-1932. MOVED TO JACKSONVILLE IN 1951 WITH THE U.S. NAVY. MEMBER OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, JAX. SINCE 1951, WHERE HE MET HIS WIFE, BETTY, OF 57 YRS. AND SERVED AS A DEACON. MATT JOINED THE JACKSONVILLE SHERIFFS OFFICE IN 1955, AS A MEMBER OF THE ROAD PATROL. RETIRED AS A SERGEANT AFTER 20 YRS. WITH JSO AND RETIRED AGAIN AFTER 20 YRS. WITH THE STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, AS CHIEF SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR. HE REMAINED AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED COPS AND THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE. HE ALSO MAINTAINED AN ACTIVE (7-6-22) LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FIREARMS PROFICIENCY VERIFICATION CARD. A MEMBER OF SOLOMON LODGE #20 F & AM SCOTTISH RITE BODIES, OVER 61 YRS. HE REMAINED A TAR HILL BORN UNTIL DEATH, BY MAINTAINING HIS BELOVED MOUNTAIN HOME IN FINES CREEK, N.C. HE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HIS WIFE, BETTY F. KEMP, A SISTER, MARION K. FOSTER (PAUL) AND BROTHER, FREDERICK O. KEMP (JOANN). SURVIVORS INCL. DAUGHTERS SUSAN K. CARTER (STAN) AND LISA KEMP, GRANDSONS, MATTHEW K. AND A. JORDAN BELSER, WIFE, CAROLYN PIPPIN KEMP, HIS MOUNTAIN FAMILY AND MANY SPECIAL FRIENDS. GRAVESIDE SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT THE MANDARIN CEMETERY, ON MANDARIN ROAD, ON FRIDAY THE 18TH AT 2:30 PM. REV. RANDY CREWS WILL OFFICIATE, WITH MASONIC RITES AND POLICE AND VETERAN HONORS. DONATIONS MAY BE MADE IN HIS MEMORY TO: THE SHRINER’S CHILDRENS HOSPITAL, TAMPA, FLORIDA.