Jerry Bob Kemp

Jerry Bob Kemp, 87, of Sonora, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on hospice on July 2, 2026. Known and loved by many, Jerry faced a courageous but brief battle with kidney issues and a recurrence of cancer.

Jerry was born in a small house in Paint Rock, Texas, on June 29, 1939, to Henry Kemp and Lorene (Little) Kemp. He grew up in Ballinger and San Angelo and was the oldest of four children: brothers Glen and Bill, and sister Gwen Dyess, with whom he shared a birthday. Jerry and Gwen often joked that they were twins—eight years apart. He attended the old San Angelo High School but enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1958 before graduating. He served four years as a Radioman Third Class, specializing in Morse code communications, including a stint on the island of Guam, then an unorganized U.S. territory. He left the service in 1964.

After his discharge, Jerry returned to San Angelo and worked at Woolworth’s downtown. There he met the love of his life, a brunette named Joy Faye Young. After a whirlwind romance, they married on August 31, 1962. Their daughter, Deborah Luann, was born in 1963. That same year, Jerry and Joy moved to San Antonio, where he joined the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Communications Service, putting his Morse code skills to work. They later moved to Austin, where Jerry served at DPS Headquarters. He competed nationally with other operators for the most Morse code traffic sent and received in an eight-hour shift, ranking second in the nation behind an operator in California. In 1964, their son, Philip Oscar, was born. Jerry then transferred to the DPS Midland Regional Office in Communications.

Hoping to become a DPS patrolman, Jerry applied but was measured a quarter-inch below the height requirement at the time. Undeterred, he joined the Midland Police Department, serving as a patrolman, then as a detective in Juvenile Division, with a brief assignment in Narcotics before returning to Juvenile. He took the work seriously, often mentoring troubled youth—sometimes even bringing a young person home overnight to help them get back on track.

In 1968, Jerry was invited to Plano, Texas, to work with a former colleague selling computer systems for a local company. After a short time, he returned to law enforcement, moving his family to Farmers Branch to join the Farmers Branch Police Department. In 1974, longtime friend and former DPS Narcotics Officer Bill Webster asked Jerry to help start the Sonora Police Department. The family moved from Plano to Sonora, where the department began with Chief Bill Webster, Jerry, and two other officers. When Webster was elected Sutton County Sheriff in 1976 and took office in 1977, Jerry became Sonora’s second Chief of Police, serving from 1977 to 1982.

After a break from law enforcement, Jerry opened a small hardware store in Sonora. Though short-lived, it led to the purchase of a self-service car wash, which prospered. He soon added a quick lube center behind it. After selling both businesses, he managed the local Chevrolet dealership.

Jerry’s son, Philip, followed in his footsteps, becoming a Texas DPS trooper in July 1987. In August 1996, Jerry returned to law enforcement as a deputy with the Sutton County Sheriff’s Office and was soon promoted to Chief Deputy. He served until the end of 2001, when he retired from law enforcement—at least for a while.

Jerry enjoyed retirement with Joy, their children, and grandchildren. He loved working with his hands, crafting items from wood, river cane, and deer antlers—candleholders, card holders, and many walking canes. In 2015, law enforcement called again when he was appointed Municipal Judge for the City of Sonora. He served actively in that role until the end of 2024, when he retired for good at age 85.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joy Kemp of Sonora; daughter Debbie Watson and husband, Tommy, of Little Elm; son Philip Kemp and wife, Kathy, of Christoval; granddaughters Tara Cook and husband, Sean, of Frisco; Sheena Hogue and husband, Taylor, of Little Elm; Kelsey Kemp of Hewitt; and Ashley Kemp of Christoval; and great‑grandchildren Haley Cook, Nolan Cook, Londyn Hogue, Peyton Hogue, and Karsyn Kemp.

Visitation will be Monday, July 6, 2026 from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at Harper-Welch Funeral Home, 409 E. 2nd, Sonora, Texas 76950. Family will be present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 10:00 am at the Sutton County Civic Center, 1700 N. Crockett Avenue, Sonora, Texas 76950. Burial will follow after services at approximately 12:15 pm at Johnson’s Lawnhaven Memorial Garden, 4989 FM 1223, San Angelo, Texas 76905. A meal will be served for the family at Southgate Church of Christ, 528 Country Club Road, San Angelo, Texas 76904 immediately following the graveside services.