Jerry W. Kemp

Jerry W. Kemp, age 81, passed away in Crestview, FL on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, with his son, Steven, by his side.

Jerry was born in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, on July 6, 1944, to Floyd and Evelyn Kemp. The eldest of five children, he grew up with his sister and three brothers in Svea, Florida and attended Laurel Hill School. His early years were spent roaming the woods, enjoying nature, fishing, and hunting squirrels, wild hogs, and deer. He loved playing basketball and was a member of the Laurel Hill Hoboes Basketball team where he was noted for his excellent ability to dribble the ball. 

Jerry was a gifted athlete who learned to water ski at an early age. He mastered all types of trick skiing including barefoot skiing, teaching his younger siblings, and later his sons, to ski as well. He, along with his family, spent many summers skiing at Lake Jackson in Florala, Alabama.

After high school, Jerry attended Pensacola Junior College, followed by a four-year stint in the Army, which included two years in Japan. While he was stationed at Homestead AFB, he came home on leave and met the love of his life, Sarah Qualls. He and Sarah married a month later, a marriage that lasted 57 years, until Sarah’s death in 2023. Together they raised three sons while living in several different locations including Orlando, where Jerry worked as a long-haul truck driver, then returning to Laurel Hill, and finally winding up in Crestview, Florida.

Jerry had many hobbies. Along with water skiing, hunting, and fishing, he enjoyed reading, snorkeling for scallops, and snow skiing. He and Sarah also shared a passion for auto racing. They loved NASCAR and never wanted to miss the Sunday race, but they also loved to race their own cars.

At some point, Jerry joined his two youngest brothers in the drywall business, which later became Kemp Brothers Construction, building many houses in the Crestview area. Later, Jerry established his own drywall business, which he managed until his retirement.

Jerry is preceded in death by his wife, Sarah; father, Floyd Kemp, mother, Evelyn Blocker; and stepfather, JL Blocker. He is survived by sons, Steven Kemp, Jerry Kemp Jr., Shawn Kemp (Jennifer); granddaughters, Savannah and Jerilyn Kemp; sister, Shelia Locke; brothers, Quentin (Kathy), Charles, and Keith (Terry); sisters-in-law, Gladys Simmons and Dianne Childs as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

A visitation will be held in the chapel of Davis-Watkins Crestview Memorial, 492 East Pine Avenue, Crestview, Florida, on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. A memorial service will take place at 4:30 p.m.

Arrangements and services are under the care of Davis-Watkins Crestview Memorial Funeral Home.