Carolyn Kemp Obituary

Carolyn Kay Kemp

August 12, 1942 - March 10, 2025

Carolyn Kay Kemp, 82, of Tryon, passed away on March 10, 2025, at Linden Court in North Platte.

She was born in North Platte on Aug. 12, 1942, to Roy and Ila (Banks) Black. Carolyn grew up on the family ranch 10 miles north of Ringgold. She had an older sister, Marilyn, and a younger brother, Dale. The kids were taught hard work at a young age. Carolyn attended Hall School – District 7, a small country school north of Ringgold. She graduated from McPherson County High School with the class of 1959. After graduation, she worked for Goodalls in Ogallala, winding condensers. Carolyn married Richard Kemp on July 3, 1960, at the Tryon Methodist Church. To this union, two children were born, Gaylene Kay and Lamar James.

Carolyn had a deep love for Jesus and loved to sing. You could often hear her humming a tune or singing one of her favorite songs, The Old Rugged Cross. One of her special moments was a four-generation baptism, where Carolyn was baptized with her daughter Gaylene, granddaughter Jessica, and great-granddaughter Josie.

Carolyn was a great cook! Without a doubt, she made the best potato salad and fried chicken. It wasn't a family picnic without her potato salad, and she always picked out the best watermelon. She enjoyed playing cards, especially pitch and canasta. Carolyn loved her family dearly and had a special love for animals, especially her cats, dogs, and cattle. She was a long-time member of the Willing Workers Extension Club. Carolyn loved to garden and spent many long, hard days working alongside her husband, Richard, on the family ranch.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her parents; son, Lamar; sister, Marilyn; and infant granddaughter, Rebecca Leanne Kemp.

Survivors include her daughter, Gaylene (John) McCall of North Platte; brother, Dale (Carol) Black of Ringgold; grandchildren, Jessica (BJ) Wilson, Jennifer (Josh) Staab, Ben (Alexa) McCall, James Kemp and Christopher Kemp, all of North Platte; great-grandchildren, Hali, Levi, Carsen, Josie, Oakley, Axel, Hadlee, Hagen, Heston and Remyton; great-great-grandchildren, Waylon and Welder; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family members and friends

Memorials are suggested to the McPherson County Fire & Rescue or the donor's choice.

Funeral service is at 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 17, at the First United Methodist Church in North Platte, with Pastor Mike Evans officiating. Burial follows at the Miller Cemetery near Tryon. Visitation is from 2 to 6 p.m., with family receiving friends from 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday, March 16, at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.