Funeral service for William Thomas “Tom” Kemp, age 90, of Hartselle will be Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Walter Blackman officiating. The burial will be in Burningtree Cemetery in Priceville with Peck Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home.
Tom was born in Birmingham, AL to Alfred Thomas Kemp and Elva Vance Kemp on May 2, 1936. He died peacefully on Sunday 12, 2026 at Cullman Hospital. He was a 1957 graduate of Minor High School and was a US Army veteran. He had a passion for gospel music, and he loved gathering around a piano with a hymnal. He was well known for his beautiful tenor voice and often sang specials in church. He started singing in high school and was in the Neighbors, Gatemen, and Representatives quartets. He also was song director for over 20 years at several Baptist churches including Lebanon, West Side, Summit, Bethlehem, Southwest, and interim song director at several other churches. He loved serving in various roles in churches, which also included deacon.
Tom retired from General Electric in 2001 from the maintenance department. His nickname there was “Tom Cat.” He was a jack of all trades and could fix most anything. He also had a magnetic personality and charisma that drew others to him. He loved the simple things in life and needed very little to be happy. He had a very long and blessed life with lots of laughter and friends. Tom loved God with all his heart and was exceedingly ready to go to meet his Father in heaven and see loved ones, especially his wife, Janice, the love of his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred Kemp and Elva Vance Kemp; wife, Janice Fowler Kemp; daughter, Karen Kemp Brakefield; and sister, Mary Kemp McMicken.
He is survived by his son, William David Kemp; daughter, Beth Kemp Benson (Marlan); and four grandchildren, T.J. Brakefield (Christa), Rebekah Benson, Sarah Silas (Peyton), Joshua Benson, and great-daughter, Monroe Silas.
Pallbearers: Jesse Bailey, TJ Brakefield, Joshua Benson, Peyton Silas, Jerome Ward, Tracy McMicken
Honorary pallbearers are all the buddies he ate with at Jack’s, Cracker Barrel, and many other locations.
