In Loving Memory
This page is dedicated to the memory of loved ones who impacted our lives, and still influence us to this day, even if they are no longer with us.
Mister Chili
Mr. Chili was The best dog ever.
His story begins on his day of adoption, when Matt went to an event held by the Bella Foundation in OKC. Earlier in the week Matt looked at Bellas website and saw a picture of this dog who would be available at the adoption. At the time his foster family called him "Matthew." Which was a clear sign that this dog was meant for Matt. He literally had his name on him! The little dog went home with Matt that very day. From that moment on the two were veritably inseparable. Chili had a life full of adventure. In his short time Chili travelled to 26 states, including all 3 coasts, and by the time of the pandemic would regularly ride on Matt's motorcycle with him. He went everywhere with Matt, to the studio, to his gigs, anywhere he could legally go. They spent many nights camping and many days swimming at the lake, or hiking in nature. Until one day late in 2021, Chili became ill, and in spite of every possible action taken to help him to pull through he did not make it. Mr. Chili died on Christmas eve, 2021. Matt says, 'losing Chili is one of he hardest things i've had to deal with. Its like there's a great big hole in my life now. I miss him everyday. i just want the world to know that Mr. Chili was one of the greats. He brought a smile to everyone's face. Everybody loved him, and wanted to be his friend. i will always remember that little dog who had my name on him. i will always carry him in my heart."
IF there really is a Heaven, Mr. Chili is there now, waiting for his dad so they can be together again.
What a good boy.
O.H. "Hal" Kemp
Hal Kemp represents the first generation of Kemp men to make a caereer in broadcasting. Randy is his son, and Matt is his grandson. Matt remembers visiting his Papa K and Mama K at their home in Abilene, TX often. "anytime we would go out to eat or to the mall or a movie, people would always want to say hello to my Papa K. He was a very well known and well liked man in west Texas in his day." Well known, because he sat in the anchor chair at KTAB TV station delivering the evening news. But it was really the matriarch of the family, Dortha, who is responsible for getting the Kemp family into broadcasting, when she took a job as a bookkeeper at KTLQ radio in Tahlequah, OK. Hal held many jobs in the industry during his life, in radio and TV On-Air and as station manager. Papa K was a great man, and I think he'd be proud of the work we continue today."
Chris Cox
Chris Cox was an amazing man. (pictured at right, back row in the center). When his parents divorced, He and Chad split their time between Alaska and Oklahoma. Chris and Chad became my brothers when our parents married in 1993. So we three boys grew up together. Chris was in a word, fearless. After high school he moved with a friend to St. THomas USVI and lived there for 2 years, working on a boat. it was a 90 ft catamaran called 'The Dancing Dolphin." After that he came back to OK briefly, before setting out to Ft. Collins Colorado with his bandmates from "Green Lemon". They toured the US in an old School bus they retrofitted with storage space and sleeping bunks. I dont know where that bus came from, how they got it, or where it is now, but that became home for a fewe more years before the band eventually went their separate ways. IT was at that time Chris Moved to California, to the legendary 'Green Triangle" to work on a farm near Mendrcino. He lived in Northern California for the rest or his days. I think about him every day of my life, and probably always will. This paragraph and video don't do justice to the man who lived his life the way we all should, without fear, and without regret.