Kemplin C Belt

April 24, 1934 – September 21, 2026

Born near Cave-in-Rock, Illinois to Charles Ewing Belt and Thelma Blakley Belt, Kemplin (known as Kemp to his parents and siblings) grew up on a rural farm until his family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. Just after graduating from high school in 1952, he and 3 friends loaded up in a convertible and headed for Hollywood to become Movie Stars. They returned to Indianapolis 3 weeks later after running out of money and with no film credits, so he decided to follow his other dream to be a fighter pilot and joined the United States Air Force. The Korean conflict ended before he completed training and flight school, but it turned into a career as an officer and highly decorated fighter pilot. This included three tours in Vietnam, beginning as air support attached to the 173rd Airborne Brigade and culminated as an A-1 Skyraider “Sandy” pilot in his final tour. During his combat tours he earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses for Heroism and numerous other Air Medals.

While in the Air Force he earned a BS from the University of Alabama and after retirement an MBA from Auburn University. He followed his passion for flight into retirement and became a corporate pilot and later started Aviation Management Services, which provided pilot services and aircraft management for corporate aircraft.

In 1962, while stationed at Craig AFB in Selma, Alabama, he met the love of his life in Jean Rainer. He married her the following year and they moved to Hawaii to start their life together.

Kemplin (known as KC in Montgomery) was born in a tiny town on the Ohio River and lived all over the world from Indianapolis, to Texas, Japan, Hawaii, and Alabama. He was a fighter pilot, a husband, a father, and a grandfather.

KC was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Thelma Belt, and his Sister Chelta Belt Chenoweth.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years Jean Rainer Belt, son Keven Belt of Montgomery, daughter Kelly Belt Jones (Leonard) of Tuscaloosa, granddaughters Dr. Rainer Jones of Rochester, NY and Blakley Jones of Charlotte, NC, and his sister Carla Belt Morris of Tampa, FL.

He will be missed and his memory cherished by all who loved him.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 28, 2026 at 11 AM at Wesley Church, 608 East Fairview Avenue, Montgomery, followed by a Memorial Service at Noon.

In Lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Parkinsons Rock Steady Boxing Program Annual Fundraising Campaign at the Bell Road YMCA, 2435 Bell Road, Montgomery Alabama 36117.