H. Kemper Davis

Left behind to cherish Kemper's memory will be his beloved fiancée, Marie Cathryn (Cate) Phelps, his children, Hugh Parker, Jasper Martin, and Kathryn Marie, their mother, his former wife, Cheryl P. Davis of Arlington, Va.; sisters, Martha (Bill) Revely of Dove Canyon, CA, Ruth (Jeff) Posey of Riverside, CA, and Laura (Warren) Van Dolsen of Springfield, MO; 7 nieces and nephews, and 12 great-nieces and nephews.

Kemper meets in Heaven his parents, Hugh Edward and Sarah Starnes Davis; brother, Hugh Starnes Davis; nephew, William F. Revely IV; grandparents, Homer Jasper and Alta Kemper Starnes; and grandparents Hugh Orton and Martha Edwards Davis.

Kemper is an alumnus of George Mason University, in Fairfax, VA where he earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and became a talented Software Developer. He had experience working on several critically important military contracts that dramatically improved their software systems around the world. He was also on a team that created a cutting-edge Real Time Strategy computer game. Kemper presently worked at TWIA as a Senior Systems Developer. Of his many accomplishments, he would say that his greatest one was being the father of Parker, Jasper, and Kathryn. He was a dedicated father who raised his three children with love, patience, compassion, and attentiveness; always providing for his family with wise discernment.

Kemper was blessed with a variety of talents, skills, and interests. He particularly enjoyed hiking, backpacking, and camping in the mountains. He felt that the mountains were a beautiful example of the Lord’s magnificence. Kemper loved listening to and playing music, and he spent many wonderful hours playing his several guitars and keyboard. Creating music was as natural to him as creating software. He was passionate about programming and used his knowledge, talent, and skills to build computers. He was a great cook and had fun experimenting with different spices and ingredients. Kemper truly liked woodworking and relished the satisfaction of completing multiple DIY projects. He added beauty and value to each home he had, leaving each place better than he found it, just as he left each person. He received genuine pleasure by being of service to others and embraced each opportunity to do so. Kemper remained deeply close and connected with his 3 sisters throughout his life and was movingly devoted to them, as they were to him.

Kemper’s strong faith was paramount to him, and he devoted his life to living joyfully through Christ. Kemper loved being able to share his passions with his sweetheart Cate and expressed his great love for her by writing poems, composing music, and designing a website for her future work that will be an enduring legacy.

Among many characteristics, Kemper was friendly, fun-loving, sincere, intelligent, and hard-working. He loved to make people laugh and loved every little smile that he could create. He produced smiles wherever he went with his quick wit and fun thinking. He genuinely cared about others and was very sensitive to their feelings. He considered it a joy to bless others and strived to make all those in his life know they were special. He truly succeeded in doing so. On a professional level, Kemper had an eye for precision and made sure every detail of any project was perfected. When a challenge was presented at work that required “Kemper-like “skills, it was known to be said, “Give it to Kemper.”

Kemper will be remembered by family and friends for his unshakable faith, eternal optimism, romantic heart, boundless energy, infectious laugh, soothing voice, comforting hugs, and his passion for music. He received immense pleasure in making others laugh. Kemper was very thankful for all the blessings the Lord has given him and was constant in his desire to follow God’s will. He loved his family so very much. He made sure he could spend time with his children, the lights of his life, whenever possible, and did not let geographical distance be a barrier to closeness. He enjoyed spending countless hours talking on the phone with all three of them and sharing frequent messages. Whenever Kemper and his children spent time together, he always had multiple adventurous ideas, activities, and trips planned. Kemper loved Cupid, his loyal chihuahua companion, so much; they were best friends for over 10 years. He affectionately referred to her as his “little grrr,” because Cupid was unabashedly loyal to Kemper and did not hesitate to hide her disdain for humans that weren’t “Dad.” He had an amazingly happy final year on earth that was filled with great joy, laughter, confidence, and the promise of a longed-for future with the love of his life. Kemper told Cate at the beginning of their relationship: “We are allowed to dream together.” And they did.

A visitation for Kemper will be held Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Sunset North Funeral Home, 910 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX 78232, followed by a celebration of life at 1:00 PM. A committal service will take place Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 9:00 AM at Sunset Memorial Park, 1701 Austin Hwy, San Antonio, Texas 78218.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Davis family.

For My Sweet Kemper D.

When….

When night bids adieu as the dawn breaks into a glorious brand-new day,

I think of you.

When the blazing sun emerges, radiating endless, sizzling heat,

I hope for you.

When the bells of St. Mary’s chime and beckon me to class,

I pray for you.

When I awake from deep slumber for no reason at all,

I reach for you.

When the quiet, misty, still of night reminds me you are not here,

I long for you.

When I am so filled with your essence, your spirit, and soul.

I thank God for you.

With Unending Love,

Cate Phelps

8/2/2022