Ray Allen Kemp

Ray Allen Kemp, 71, of Carterville, passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville, with Rev. Ralph Brandon officiating. Burial will be at Willowrest Cemetery in Carterville. Visitation will begin at 5:30 p.m., Monday, March 18, 2019, at the Carterville Junior High School Gymnasium (where he taught), 816 S. Division Street.

The family prefers memorial contributions to the Carterville High School Boys' & Girls' Golf Team.

Ray was born on February 26, 1948, in Lafayette, Indiana, to Charles E. and Gladys A. (Anderson) Kemp. He married Margery "Margie" Sue Williams on February 19, 1971, in Henry, Illinois.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Margie Kemp of Carterville; son, David (Sheila) Kemp of Carterville; grandsons, Nathan (Andrea Kesler) Kemp, Shane Kemp and Aaron Kemp, all of Carterville; sisters, Amy (Mario) Amparan of Beaumont, California and JoBeth Kemp (Carol Hochsprung) of Rancho Mirage, California; brother, Mike Kemp of Henry, Illinois; sister-in-law, Julie Williams of Carterville; nephews, Joe (Tina) Kemp and Nathan Gibson (Jessica Zainitzer); and a host of friends.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law, Beverly Kemp.

He was a dedicated educator, retiring in 2005, after 32 years as a Biology teacher at Carterville High School. Ray was more than just an educator, he also served as head coach for the most total seasons in the history of Carterville High School, 38 to be exact, with 18 as Golf Coach, 14 as Girls' Basketball Coach and 6 as Girls' Softball Coach. His passion for teaching far extended the classroom; Ray would turn a regular moment into a teaching lesson.  

Ray was an avid golfer who belonged to Crab Orchard Golf Course where he was a member of the "11 o'clock group" and a past club champion.

He had a passion for food. Ray was a talented cook who loved to cook at special events, like tailgates for First Southern Bank and Suchy's back shed, where he served as the "celebrity chef".

Ray loved walking the beach at sunset with his wife, Margie.

His outgoing and positive outlook meant he never met a stranger. Ray was a Carterville icon and  a great man who had a tremendous impact on everyone he encountered.

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