Lt. Col. (Ret.) Thomas Kemp was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force and graduate of the Air Force Academy. He had a long and distinguished aviation career spanning over four decades, 35 of which were spent at Alaska Airlines where Capt. Kemp held many positions, including MD-80 Fleet captain, SEA base chief pilot, system chief pilot, director of operations and vice president of flight operations. Tom was a man of strong faith who loved flying, his family more than anything, and enjoyed life to its fullest. He served his family, he served his community, he served his church, and he served his country, including serving in both the Gulf War and Desert Storm.

Tom was the kind of man who embodied so many essential qualities that make a person great that he was truly more than a man to admire, he was the kind of man who made you a better person just by knowing him. He imparted his wisdom to those close, certainly, but he also modeled through his daily actions and the way he lived his life what truly mattered in life, what it truly meant to live with strength of character, faith and devotion. It was his devotional nature and integrity that made him a pillar of strength for his family and a long-time source of guidance and support for many. He was the kind of man that everyone counted on when you needed someone to count on, and he was the kind of man that you counted on to show up and give in the right way at the right time, even when it wasn’t obvious that it was needed. He had an innate way of knowing what to do and he did it humbly. He was a man guided by an inner compass that always led him in the direction of caring, providing for and supporting those he loved and held dear. The way Tom lived and loved us all has left a guiding light for us to follow.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Carmelita; son, Ryan (Heather); daughters, Kelly and Brandi; grandchildren, Kanon, Kabella, Alohi, Kai and Bailey; and siblings Deb, Bob, Jimmy and Barb. He was laid to rest with full military honors at Haven of Rest in Washington on May 31, 2024.

Brandi Martin, Daughter  |  Checkpoints Magazine, September 2024

 

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Thomas Wayne Kemp, 70, of Gig Harbor, Washington, passed peacefully on Sunday, April 28, 2024 surrounded by his beloved wife, Carmelita, and his three children, Kelly, Ryan and Brandi.

Lt. Colonel Thomas Kemp was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, and has a long and distinguished aviation career spanning over four decades, thirty-five of which were spent at Alaska Airlines where Captain Thomas Kemp held many positions, including Vice President of Flight Operations. Tom loved flying, his family more than anything, and enjoyed life to its fullest.

He is survived by his wife, Carmelita Kemp, his son, Ryan Kemp, his two daughters, Kelly Kemp and Brandi Martin, and his five grandchildren, Kanon and Kabella Kemp, and Alohi, Kai and Baily Martin.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm on May 31, 2024 at Haven of Rest Memorial Park in Gig Harbor, Washington. A Celebration of Life will be held following the memorial service from 4 - 8 pm at the Gig Harbor Vintage Aero Museum at the Tacoma Narrows Airport, 1108 26th Ave. NW, Gig Harbor, Washington.

In lieu of flowers, our family graciously asks for memorial donations to be made in Tom’s name to the Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center where you can designate your contribution to pancreatic cancer. Tom had been selected to be part of a t-cell trial at Fred Hutch, which gave him a significant sense of hope throughout his treatment, and we would like to contribute in his name towards their ground-breaking work in the field of pancreatic cancer research.

Haven of Rest Gig Harbor  |  May 2024

 

Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center

 

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Dan McCorry: It is with a sad heart that I inform you that Tom Kemp, our 35th Squadron brother, passed away Sunday evening, 28 April 2024, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. We don’t have any further details...but will pass along the memorial/funeral service information when available. Above all else, we don’t want to disturb the family in this moment of grief...but we are in touch with them in case they need our help.