William Eugene "Gene" Kemp, age 73 of East Prairie, MO, passed away Sunday evening, August 17, 2025, at the Missouri State Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, MO.

He was born September 18, 1951, in East Prairie, MO, to the late Robert Junior Kemp and Georgia Ann Moore Kemp.

Gene received his B.S. in Education from the University of South Florida and earned his Master's Degree in Education from William Woods University.  He was a teacher for twenty plus years, beginning his career at Scott County Central School near Sikeston, MO, and later teaching for the State of Missouri Boys Home.  Gene was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Sikeston, MO.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening.  His most favorite place to visit with his family was Walt Disney World.

On September 21, 1996, in Immokalee, FL, he married Victoria Marie Colon, who survives of the home.

Additional survivors include his children, Robert "Bobby" Kemp, Tina (Logan) Bisher, Joshua (Allison) Maldonado, Deana (Bobby) Conley, and Mitchell (Eleana) Steverson, all of East Prairie, MO, and Jeremy Steverson of Georgia; one brother, Mark Archie of Mayfield, KY; his grandchildren, Bella, Xavier, Xander, Joseph, Justin, Angel, Nathan, William, Angie, Kyle, Ashley, Kimberly, Jonathan, Terry and Glen; as well as 17 great grandchildren.

Gene was very close with his sisters and brothers-in-law, Michelle (Bill) Saxon of Murray, KY, and Pauline (Lee) Ratcliff of Winter Haven, FL; brother-in-law, Ted Colon, Jr. of Chandler, AZ and father-in-law, Ted Colon, Sr. of Chandler, AZ.  His closest cousins were Larry (Edith) Lane of Benton, KY, Sylvia (Ricky) Doom of Calvert City, KY, Kenny (Sue) Kemp of Naples, FL, Peggy (Roberto) Barnhart of Bartow, FL, Janet and G.W. Phrampus; three aunts from East Prairie; as well as several nieces and nephews from Murray, KY and Winter Haven, FL.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents as well as two sons, Chad Steverson and Jackie Kemp.

Family and friends may assemble for a graveside service at East Prairie Memorial Park on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 1 p.m., with Joe Hill officiating.

Interment will immediately follow.

Pallbearers will be Joshua Maldonado, Logan Bisher, Bill Saxon, Lee Ratcliff, Mitchell Steverson and Vernon Songer.

All arrangements under the care and direction of Shelby Funeral Home of East Prairie.