IN LOVING MEMORY OF Karl Monroe Kemp

Karl Monroe

Kemp

Nov 7, 1952 — Sep 7, 2026

Neosho, MO

Send a Card

Karl Monroe Kemp's Obituary

Karl Monroe Kemp, 73, of Neosho, Missouri, died unexpectedly on September 7, 2026.

Karl was born November 7, 1952, in Fort Worth, Texas, to Jack Elmer Kemp and Evelyn Joanne McClane Kemp (“Mo”). He married the love of his life, Terry Kemp, on October 18, 1975.

He graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a major in Russian and a minor in accounting, intending to pursue a career as an FBI interpreter. When the FBI told him that he should probably choose between that career and getting married, Terry was the easy choice.

Karl became a Certified Public Accountant and joined his father’s business. After putting in his time in the accounting world, he worked as a programmer for his father-in-law’s software company, M.I.S.I., before packing up the family in 1991 and heading to Arkansas to become the IT Director at Arkansas College, now Lyon College, in Batesville. In 2004, he left Lyon to start his own business, Ozark Information Services, with his son Josh. After leaving the company in his son’s hands, he finished his career as the Senior Vice President of Information Technology for First Community Bank.

It was in Batesville that Karl finally acted on a dream he had carried since he was 14 years old: learning to fly. Helping a local physician and a retired jack-of-all-trades (both pilots) install a custom GPS in an airplane led to lifelong friendships and a passion that would occupy him for the rest of his life. He began taking flying lessons in July 1999 and made his first solo flight on September 9, 1999.

He flew himself, friends and family, and many children participating in the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Young Eagles program. He worked on airplanes, researched them endlessly, served on the Batesville Airport Commission, and talked about every aspect of flight with anyone who would listen. Flying was everything he thought it could be, and he never tired of it. He and his friends flew a Mooney and a White Lightning, and they spent years and countless hours working on and flying a Lancair before Karl bought his retirement airplane, a Zenith STOL CH 701. A final testament to his lifelong pursuit of learning arrived in the mail after his death: a document related to the Maryland Three (MD-3) vetting process he had been pursuing so he could fly into College Park Airport, the world’s oldest continuously operating airport.

When he wasn’t in the air, he could be found on long motorcycle trips, often riding more than 500 miles in a day; riding his unicycle around town; walking around Batesville; or taking his 1966 International Scout out for the Sunday drives he and Terry enjoyed so much. When he really wanted to clear his head, a hiking trip out to West Texas always did the trick. His kids learned that “within walking distance” meant something different to him than it did to most people.

Karl carried himself with quiet confidence and strong conviction. He had an insatiable curiosity, never stopped learning, and possessed what one son described as “annoyingly high levels of integrity.” He loved serious ideas, good conversation, and The Big Lebowski. Friends, family, and colleagues frequently sought his advice on matters both personal and professional.

Karl was generous with his time and knowledge, whether talking with someone across a lunch table, helping solve a problem, or speaking to a room full of people. For all of his interests and accomplishments, his family remained his primary focus. His children describe him as loving, full of life, and very present. He often went to work early, came home for breakfast with the family, returned for lunch and supper, then went back to work after the kids were in bed. He was proud of all of his boys and was an amazing and beloved “Pop” to his grandchildren, who gave him so much joy.

For a man with so many interests, Karl was remarkably clear about what mattered most. He showed up—for his family, his friends, and anyone who needed his help or advice. His family will miss his curiosity, his counsel, his humor, and, most of all, his presence.

He was fond of saying, “Nobody has more fun than we do!” And he meant it.

He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Terry Kemp, of Neosho, Missouri; children Josh Kemp (Tanya) of Batesville, Arkansas, Seth Kemp (Jinger) of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Jesse Kemp (Sarah) of Neosho, Missouri, and Michael Kemp (Ashley) of Springfield, Missouri; siblings Scott Kemp of Abilene, Texas, Barbara Kemp of Azle, Texas, Becky Kemp Freeman (Kent) of Justin, Texas, and Bailey Kemp of Keeter, Texas; his eight grandchildren, Noah, Lilyanne, Cora, Sam, Joy, Shiloh, Hazel, and Sophie; and ten nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Joanne Kemp; his parents-in-law, Buddy and Ruth Bellamy; and his sisters-in-law, Stacy Bellamy and Linda Kemp.

A public memorial service will be held in Batesville, Arkansas. Date and time pending. Family and friends are encouraged to bring a memory to share during the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Arc of the Ozarks Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center or Sunshine Industries Group Home.