Howard Douglas Kemper Sr.

Howard Douglas Kemper, Sr., age 98, of Galveston, Texas, who also had a home in Lawton, Oklahoma, for over 45 years, passed away peacefully on the 10th of January 2013, with his loving family at his side.

After finishing high school, Howard joined the Army Air Corps and was involved in aspects of the Corp transition to the U. S. Air Force during his training at West Point. After which, he was assigned as Adjutant for several air bases in Texas until his retirement in 1946 as an U. S. Air Force Captain.

After his WWII military service, he was a buyer for the men’s department at Joske’s of Texas stores in San Antonio. His career led him to Lawton, where as an entrepreneur, he started his own business in clothing stores, tailor shops, and the Great Plains Cleaners, with long standing contract services from several locations in Ft. Sill and a main plant in Lawton.

Howard was a respected business and church leader. As Clerk of the Session for 25 years, he headed the First Presbyterian Church of Lawton, where his business skills served him well in both the physical and financial growth of the church.

He was a 33rd Degree Mason, a long time Kiwanian with a perfect attendance record, and a member of the Ft. Sill Officer’s Club. Howard also managed political campaigns, but never choose to be in the spotlight. He loved golf, hunting and fishing. In 1948, Howard was featured on the cover of Field & Stream magazine.

In his youth, Howard was a skilled athlete in football, basketball and track at Mt. Vernon, Missouri, high school; and, he still holds at least one Missouri high school record.

His passion for football was matched by few and he followed it and his favorite teams – high school, college and pro to his last moment on this earth.

He married Vivian W. Silvers of San Antonio, Texas, and she has been the sweetheart of his life for the past 73 years! Howard and Vivian spent 20 years of retirement traveling. They loved their RV club – the Buffalo Ramblers.

He was an incredible husband and father and never missed any event that his boys participated in.

He and Vivian landed in Galveston where they started life’s next adventure with added new friends and love of their new church.

The family would like to thank his companion of 7 years, Charles Washington, who was his dear friend; and the home health care service, Home Instead, and his hospice provider, Resolutions Hospice.

He was predeceased by his father, LeRoy Kemper; and his mother, who he cherished, Cora Myrtle Kemper; and his sister, Helene Kemper Jackson. He is survived by his loving wife, Vivian; and his sons, Howard D. Kemper, Jr., Michael W. Kemper, Rodney M. Kemper, and Michael V. Grover.

The family is to gather for a private interment service, with military honors, to be rendered by the U. S. Air Force, at Mission Park South Cemetery in San Antonio.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Howard’s name may be directed to Westminster Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 5127 Avenue U, Galveston, TX, 77551.