Jimmy “Jim” Kay Kemplin, 76, Russell Springs

Jimmy “Jim” Kay Kemplin, devoted husband of Karen, entered eternal life December 21, 2024, at the age of 76.

Jim was born in Kona, the son of the late Raleigh Kemplin and Allie (Ison) Presnell,Kentucky on Jan. 25, 1948. He was a member of Grace Family Fellowship in Russell Springs. From an early age, Jim set out to take care of his family. Following the death of his stepfather, Jim left home to train as a journeyman carpenter at the age of 15, always making sure to mail home money to his mother.

For the following 60 years, Jim honed his craft as an experienced trim carpenter. Homes and businesses from Baltimore to Atlanta to Honolulu to Colorado Springs, including a church or two in southeastern Kentucky, bear his expert handcrafted trimwork and cabinetry.  Jim served in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer, including three tours to Vietnam.

In addition to his wife of 31 years, Jim is survived by his five children: Brandon Kemplin, Shelissa (Gerald) Kearney, Stephanie Lea (James) Utz-Fournier, Kristin (Michael) Molinaro and James “Robby” Carlisle; seven grandchildren: Allie, Tommy, Chloe, Traigh, Chase, Callasara and Kaileb; brother Billy Ray Wilfong of Burnside, Kentucky; and many extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Betty Everidge, brother Berkley Wilfong, daughter-in-law Kyra Kemplin and niece Shelia York.

Services will be held Friday, Jan. 3, 2025 at 10 a.m. CST at Grace Family Fellowship, 192 Stephens Ridge Road, followed by interment with military honors by the Russell County Honor Squad at 12:30 p.m. CST at Mill Springs National Cemetery in Nancy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grace Family Fellowship Benevolence Fund or the United Service Organizations (USO).