Garry Colquhoun Kemp
August 28, 1934 – January 12, 2025

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Garry Colquhoun Kemp, who died January 12, 2025. Garry led an extraordinary life filled with passion, creativity, and a dedication to the arts.

Born on August 28, 1934, in London, England, Garry was the second son of Dorothy Rose Ryan Smith and Lawrence Colquhoun Kemp. The outbreak of WWII soon interrupted their tranquil life with air raid sirens. Garry, along with his older brother, Ian, and his mother, boarded a ship to take refuge in America. Though their time in Ohio was not long, during those war years, Garry and his brother were also evacuated within the UK.

Garry was raised primarily by his mother and five aunties once back in London, after the disappearance of his father. He spoke often of Auntie Nellie and Auntie Maggie and the ways the brood clucked over he and his brother. But, before long, he was away at boarding school, learning the finer things like French and Latin, not to mention how to shine his shoes properly, a skill he instilled in his children. It doesn't take too much imagination to think of him as a cheeky student, forever arguing his points with his instructors.

After school, Garry did his mandatory national service with the Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 11 Group. During his peacetime stint in the military, and eager to see the world, he requested he be sent to Japan. Much to his chagrin, he was posted in England. But, he was delighted to get to learn to fly and it only fueled his desire to travel. Not one for following rules, he was reprimanded on more than one occasion for offenses.  Small homemade "bombs" in the control tower apparently were not the comedy relief his superiors were seeking. He couldn't wait to be discharged, and soon enough, he was. Miraculously, he said, honorably.

After his time in the RAF, Garry met his first wife, Barbara Steele, through a friend who asked him to "take care of his cousin" while she was in town. Barbara and Garry were married quickly and had four children, Janine Alison, Adam, and Thalia. This period in his life was a time he wrangled with emotionally throughout his life. A broadcaster, he worked away for weeks at a time on Radio Caroline, the first "pirate radio" ship, and Radio Luxembourg. He lamented that his work took him away from his wife and children far too often, for far too long. Though Garry and Barbara would later divorce, he loved his children dearly and spoke of them often.

After the untimely death of her first husband, Sally Leech Fritz was on a tour of Europe with a friend where she enjoyed six weeks of travel to stunning destinations. It was against this backdrop that Sally fell for her tour guide, Garry Kemp. Sally's travelling companion was blind and when asked to  describe him to her friend, Sally answered "He looks like a Greek god, but he knows it." Sally and Garry were engaged after just three weeks and, a year later, in 1970, they were married.

Sally and Garry started married life with five children between them, including Sally's daughter from her first marriage, Mary Beth. In 1972, Sarah was added to the family. Sadly, Garry's four children moved to Australia shortly thereafter, and when Sally's father became ill, Garry, Sally, Mary Beth and Sarah moved to Tulsa to look after her family. In 1974, shortly after moving to Tulsa, the youngest of the blended family, Hannah, was born.

While in Tulsa, Garry continued his career in broadcasting. Ever the performer, Garry adored being adored. Adding to his time on Radio Caroline and Radio Luxembourg, he was heard on KXXO, KHCA, KWGS, KCMA and KVOO where he hosted his own show called "Limey Country" for several years. He enjoyed telling his family about the over-the-road truckers who called in from across the country, marveling at this cowboy with an English accent. During a brief stint in New York City in the 80s, Garry added WNCN to his list of radio stations, and later, while in London in the 90s, the BBC World Service. Finally, Garry enjoyed a part-time gig at KRMS at the Lake of the Ozarks where he and Sally retired in 2006. Known for his distinctive voice and engaging style, Garry brought stories, music, and news to life, earning the admiration of audiences and colleagues across decades. He interviewed untold celebrities, including Dolly Parton, and (if he is to be believed) The Beatles. His dedication to his craft and his ability to connect with people through the airwaves cemented his place as a cherished figure in the broadcasting community.

Aside from broadcasting, Garry's passion was theatre. He was a regular feature on the Tulsa theater scene with show-stealing roles in No Sex, Please, We're British; Noises Off; Camelot; My Three Sons; Midnight Mass; A Lion in Winter; Sherlock Holmes and many, many more throughout the 80s and 90s. A point of pride was landing a role in Hamlet, starring Kevin Kline, at the New York City Shakespeare festival. Garry loved an excuse to dress up, on and off the stage, and was often seen wearing his kilt, and any variety of dapper suits. Or, when enjoying time with his beloved Sherlock Holmes Society, the Afghanistan Perceivers, a deerstalker cap. One thing you would never see him wearing was an un-ironed shirt. He was perfectly turned out, without fail, every day.

A student of words, Garry loved doing the Daily Telegraph Cryptic Crosswords, playing scrabble (his family can count on one hand the times anyone beat him in his 90 years), and coming up with groan-worthy puns and "dad jokes" galore. He was a prolific writer and, with years of bedtime stories under his belt, he wrote and recorded Brittania Tales, children's stories of the French characters Cheval, Chevalier, and Dragon, which he produced with a coloring book drawn by his eldest daughter, Janine. In the 90s, Garry wrote the social scene column for the Tulsa Tribune, despite his dread of the social scene.  In 2012, Garry self-published a thriller called The Windfall Chameleon. Garry also spoke French fluently, and could converse in Spanish, French, and German.

Garry is preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Kemp, his mother, Dorothy Kemp, and his brother, Ian Kemp. He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Sally Kemp, and his children, Gina Hampton, Alison Kemp, Lia Kemp, Adam Kemp, Sarah Hughes, and Hannah Middlebrook, as well as his stepdaughter, Mary Beth Fitch; grandchildren Tia Prouhet, Rebecca Prouhet, Pippa Fitch, Charlie Fitch, Alyssa Inglis, Nicola Kemp, Troy Kemp, Danyon Kemp, Cassie Middlebrook, Elliot Middlebrook, Theo Middlebrook, and Cai Hughes; and great grandchild, Millie Prouhet.

While his professional life took him across continents, he always held a deep appreciation for the connections and friendships he formed along the way. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, both personally and professionally. He will be remembered for his contributions to the world of radio and his unique ability to inspire and entertain.

A memorial service will be held at All Souls Unitarian Church, 2952 S. Peoria, on January 24, 2025 at 4:00pm, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in his memory to an organization supporting the arts.