Terry "Dwayne" Kemp

Memorial services for Terry “Dwayne” Kemp, 67, of Portales, will be held at 11:00 AM, Thurs., April 25, 2024 I the Wheeler Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Phillip Smith officiating.  Sam, Charlie, DaKota, George, Boo and Berlin will be pallbearers.  All of Dwayne’s golfing and trucking buddies will serve as honorary pallbearers.  The family wishes to express special thanks to Interim Hospice for their attention and care.

Terry Dwayne Kemp, known to most as Dwayne, was born June 13, 1956 in Lubbock, TX to the home of Lois LaRue (Houston) and Donald David Kemp, and gained his angel wings peacefully on Thursday, April 18, 2024 in Portales, NM surrounded by his family.  Dwayne was the youngest of four children.

While still a young boy, the family moved to Portales where he attended the Portales schools.  Dwayne had a “wild side,” but his amazing grace shined bright when he met Mary Lou Watson, the love of his life.  They wee married on May 22, 1976 and the two of them created a beautiful life for almost 48 years.

He first began working doing cement work, and later for several different local contractors.  He eventually earned his Contractor’s License, and did general contracting for a number of years.  In the late 1980’s he began driving trucks, first for Welch Trucking and later for several of the local milk hauling companies.  Dwayne became disabled in 2009.

Dwayne rode dirt bikes as a boy, and later graduated to his beloved Harley.  He could usually be found cruising town on his beloved Harley or at the golf course.  He enjoyed his beautiful flower garden at his home, or spending time with his family playing his guitar.  He loved grilling delicious meats for his granddaughters, kids and especially for his bride in his front yard on a beautiful day.  He was a devoted to his family and never missed an opportunity to sit and spend time with the ones he loved. There was never a dull moment at the Kemp’s.

He is survived by the love of his life, Mary Lou Watson Kemp of the home; Kurtis Kemp, his son and right-hand-man, his daughter, Jessica Kemp and his two granddaughters, Sierah and Adrina Ibarra who were his pride and joy all of Portales; a brother and sister-in-law, Ronald “Ronnie D and Andy Kay Kemp of Albuquerque;  his nieces and nephews, Mike, Damon, Kelle, Adam, Eric, Josh, Eric (Amy) Urias, his nephew and godson, Josh (Jamie) Watson; his goddaughter, Alicia Segura; his mother-in-law, Jane Aguilar of Portales; and his sister-in-law, Socorro (Alfred) Urias Echerivel of Taos.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and LaRue Kemp; 2 sisters, Karen Payne and Kathy Lesly; a niece, Gena Barker a nephew Dustin Lesly and a sister-in-law, Tonie Watson.

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