Final Salute

Long Term Community Activist, Mighty Man of Valor, Alpha Man and Navy Seabee Passes

Mr. Hilrie Kemp,Jr. transitioned from time to eternity on Saturday,10/30/21.

This exceptional Christian,Elder, Deacon and Man of God faithfully served over 40 years at 34th Street Church of God. He worked in God’s vineyard as Treasurer, Usher, and President of The Florida State Church of God Men’s Organization.

He held Local, State and National positions while serving His Lord and Saviour Jesus because he clearly understood that only what He did for God would last. His favorite scripture was 1 John 3:17.

Mr. Hilrie Kemp, Jr. is the son and the first of three children born to Mr. Hilrie Kemp,Sr. and Mrs. Lee Dessie Milton Kemp. Hilrie was born on July 23, 1937 in Madison, Florida. His parents moved to Tampa in 1940 by way of Lake City, Florida. After his father’s death, his mother later remarried Mr. Sam Burney, a man he highly revered and loved deeply.

Coming from humble beginnings and always being an ambitious child he acquired his first job at the tender age of nine.

He worked in the same grocery store from 7th grade through the 12th grade. His jobs included delivering handbills, bag boy, and helper on the delivery truck. Future employment in high school included construction work, delivering groceries and stock boy in the store room of the grocery store. At times, he held multiple jobs working after school and on the weekends. During the summer months he did roofing work while maintaining simultaneous employment at the grocery.

Hilrie would go on to begin his Navy career in the reserve during his 11th grade in the year of 1955. He attended meetings four hours a night every week and did a two week tour each summer until he went on active duty in May of 1959.

Being an avid lover of music, he joined the marching and concert band where he played the French Horn under the direction of Middleton High School’s notable band director affectionately called “Prof”. He subsequently earned a band scholarship to attend Allen University, a HBCU in Columbia, South Carolina. Despite his busy schedule, he would meet, court and later marry the love of his life and his highschool sweetheart, Bertha Lee McCalister on December 31,1959 during the Christmas break of her junior year as a student at Knoxville College. Prior to going into active duty with the Navy, he pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. on December 7,1957. He was ” The Big Knocker” and treasurer for his chapter at Allen University.

In January 1960, Hilrie shipped out of Charleston, South Carolina to head overseas on a Navy Ship leaving his young wife.

He served active duty on The USS Dyess DDR and had the pleasure of traveling to Rota, Spain, Italy and the coast of North Africa. He proudly served his country as a Construction Electrician 1st Class Petty officer, E-6 and as the Rate Group Supervisor for 12 years. He also served as Commander of Island X-16 of the Navy Seabee Veterans of America and Chaplin.

Hilrie received the Humanitarian award and the Navy achievement medal ribbon for bringing 6 schools online safely in South Dade county after Hurricane Andrew hit the area, from the army. In December 1994, he retired from the Navy.

He briefly worked two years for the City of Tampa, approximately six years with Florida Steel and retired from Anheuser Busch with 26 years as a Teamster in Union local 388. He served eight years as a Union Officer, seven years as the Education Coordinator and was a part of the Tampa Anheuser Busch plant closing committee. Each of the last 8 years at Budweiser he participated in the Agency Day hosted by United Way. As a pacesetter, he always helped to facilitate the Special Olympics and assisted the children during the event. Hilrie co-coordinated the collection of funds from Anheuser Busch Union Members and encouraged them to participate in the Walk for Cystic Fibrosis.

Hilrie always strived for excellence, hence he continued his education and received certifications in System Analysis and extensive training as an Industrial Electrician at Tampa Business University, Tampa Technical Institute and Erwin Tech.

Motivated to spend more time with his eldest son led him to serve as Pack 85 Pack Master and Den Father for 5 years. He advocated for youth thereby serving as a spokesperson to fight for the alternative out of school suspension program as well as the State of Florida Kindergarten to 5th grade Book Selection Team. He was quite civic minded. Subsequently, Mr. Kemp served ten years as The President of the Progress Village Civic Council, Homeowners Association as well as the title of President Emerita. He was a Long-term Board Member of Greater Palm River Point CDC, Co-Chairman and Lay Board Member of HOPE(Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality),Treasurer of Tampa Crew Health Center; Board Member and Vice-President. He also worked on the Homeless Committee to assist the homeless in acquiring identification quickly.

In later years, he spent his days ministering to family and friends via texts, calls, inspirational words through digital cards, sharing Black history and watching every Western show ever televised!

Mr. Hilrie Kemp,Jr. was joyfully married to his “lady”, best friend and life partner, Bertha for 57 years and 9 months. She preceded him in death four years ago. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Hilrie Kemp, Sr. Lee Dessie Burney and Sam Burney. His siblings Reginald Warren Burney, and Sammy Lee Burney. His best friend, Deacon Alfred Parks joined him on the King’s highway on October 30,2021. They traveled together many years on earth, worshipping God and lifting up the blood stained banner. And so they went to meet their Maker and Lord on the same day!

Deacon Kemp leaves to mourn; 3 sorrowful children; Valrie Kemp-Davis (ex-husband/forever son, Michael), Hilrie Maurice Kemp, and Terry Alton Kemp( Angela Small),grandchildren Hilrie Bakari Kemp, Safiya Doyal(Justin), Diego Maurice Kemp, Anastacia C.C. Davis(fiancé Larone Gilmore,Jr.), Tatiana Ivana- Lee Davis, and two great granddaughters. Siblings Alton L. Kemp, Alan Keith Burney(Juanita),Ruda Mae Kemp Triggs, Regina Burney Amerson, Ronald Burney, Sister in law; Brenda Burney, Brother in laws, David Lee McCalister (Bettie), Roy McCalister, and host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, church family, friends, associates, frats, navy friends and colleagues.

Mr. Hilrie Kemp Jr.’s wake will be held on Monday November 8, 2021 from 4:00 P.M-7:00P.M. at 3000 N. 34th Street at the 34th Street Church of God. Tampa, Florida. The Alpha Phi Alpha Omega Ceremony will begin at 6:15pm.

His Funeral and Homegoing celebration service is scheduled on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. at 34th Street Church of God. Bishop Thomas Scott will officiate the service. The internment and military honors will immediately follow the funeral service, commencing at 1:30pm at the Florida National Cemetery 6502 S.W. 102nd Avenue Bushnell, Florida 33513. The repass will be held at 34th Street Church of God Fellowship Hall.

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