Obituary of Joseph Kempton Jones

Joseph Kempton Jones, MD died at the age of 95 on August 8, 2017 at his home, The Dubose Center at The Cedars in Chapel Hill, NC. His transition was peaceful and gentle, being held by his children and daughter-in-law. The Staff at The Dubose loved and cared for "Doc" for the last 10 years. Kemp was deeply loved by many people. We'll all miss his warm eyes, welcoming smile, and infectious sense of humor. Kemp was born on February 15, 1922 in Salisbury, NC to Charles Irving and Mary Kempton Jones. He had a brother, C.I. Jones, II and a sister Dorothy Jones Carter. During his undergraduate years at Duke University (1943) where he was a Phi Beta Kappa, Kemp met his wife, Eunice Patten. They married before he entered the Navy and returned to Duke for Medical School (1946). They had three children: Gordon married to Katie Fitzsimmons Jones, of Lake Forest, IL and Manson, NC; Constance married to Paul Dunion, of North Franklin, CT; and Elizabeth, deceased. Kemp and Eunice also cared for multiple cats and a dog name George that "ruled Chapel Hill." The family moved to Chapel Hill in 1952 where Kemp joined Dr. Fred Patterson in a partnership, being two of the first full time family doctors. Their office was a small house on Franklin Street, across from the Planetarium. As the practice grew and other partners - Dr. Joyner, Dr. D'Angelis, Dr. Foote - joined them, they moved to Glen Lennox and built a new office where the ALoft Hotel now stands. In 1969, Kemp was one of the first physicians certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. Kemp continued his practice for 5 decades and finally retired in 1997. It has been said that he "raised Chapel Hill." Having been the National President of the Methodist Youth Fellowship, Kemp was a very active member of the University Methodist Church. His primary ministry being doctoring, Kemp lived a life of service touching many, many people throughout the years. He was one of those rare old-fashioned general practitioners who took the time to really listen and be with folks. He held deep compassion for all. As a member of the Duke and UNC Medical School Admissions Committees for 25 years, he loved interviewing students and mentoring at UNC Medical School as an Associate Professor. In 1956, he was named the Chapel Hill Jaycee "Young Man of the Year." There were numerous organizations to which he belonged, most notably becoming President of the Chapel Hill School Board in an effort to bring integration into the schools (1958-1964). He was an early member of the Board of Medical Mutual Insurance Company, and served their board for a number of years. Kemp and Eunice relaxed with their family on Kerr Lake and at the North Carolina shore. They also enjoyed traveling. Kemp liked watching sports and was an avid Duke fan, although he admitted to holding a place for UNC in his heart too. Kemp leaves behind 6 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service to honor the life of Dr. Kemp Jones will be held at the University United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 11 AM and will be officiated by Reverend Justin Coleman, along with Reverend Walter R. Patten, PhD and The Right Reverend C.I. Jones, DD. A Reception at The Cedars Clubhouse Ballroom in Chapel Hill will follow from 1 - 3 PM.  In honor of Kemp Jones, please donate to the scholarship funds at Duke or UNC Medical Schools: Office of Development and Alumni Affairs 710 W. Main Street, Suite 200 Durham, North Carolina 27701 Phone: 919-385-3100 dukeforward.dukemedicine.org/medicine Office of Financial Aid 1001 Bondurant Hall, CB #9535 Chapel Hill, NC 27599 Phone: 919-962-6118 e-mail: somfinaid@listserv.med.unc.edu Online condolences may be sent to the Jones family by visiting www.walkersfuneralservice.com. Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill is honored to serve the Jones family.