Mr. Henry Paige Kemp Sr.

Henry P. Kemp was a native Virginian, born and raised on the campus of Hampton Institute, now Hampton University, in 1925, where his dad was employed for over forty years. At a very early age, his parents recognized those God-given gifts of creative thinking and technical construction skills. When the college era presented itself he chose the Building Construction–Architectural program at Hampton’s world famous trade school to prepare himself for his life’s work. In addition to his heavy technical programs he found time to participate in varsity tennis, track, basketball, choir, quartette, creative dance group, Omicron Social Club, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. The complete college package strongly prepared him for the world of work. He graduated from Hampton Institute with a B.S. Degree in Building Construction in 1947. He also received an M.S. Degree in Industrial Education from Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas in 1975. He immediately began a career in education, and the architectural and construction fields. He taught drafting, basic wood work, art and construction techniques at the Mayo Underwood School in Frankfort, Kentucky while simultaneously operating a building construction business. During this period he met and married the love of his life, Mary B. Brown in 1950, (now deceased), a union which lasted sixty- one years and produced three off-spring. Henry (deceased); Teresa and Darryl, both residents of Prairie View. In 1959 Henry accepted employment at Prairie View College to continue teaching in his technical area of training and experience. He found his way to Mount Corinth Baptist Church in Heavenly Hempstead. In 1960 he moved his family to Prairie View from Frankfort, Kentucky. They joined their dad at Mount Corinth and remained active in all phases of church programs and in the community. Henry sang in the choir and worked in many areas enhancing the church with his architectural skills. He served as a trustee for many years. Henry loved teaching. During this time he worked various jobs. After leaving Prairie View College he worked for Dow Chemical as a technical draftsman, then briefly taught drafting at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. Tired of the long commute, he ended his career at Waller High School. He taught drafting and coached tennis. He describes his time at Waller High School as the best years of his life. Henry was married to the late Mary B. Brown for 61 years. He is survived by daughter Teresa R. Kemp Nickleberry, son Darryl R. Kemp and two grandchildren, Traci Nickleberry and Andrea Nickleberry.

Mr. Henry Paige Kemp Sr.

February 9, 1925 - December 1, 2022