Kemett Cebert Messenger Jr.

Kemett Cebert (KC) Messenger, Jr., 72 died on January 7, 2018, in Amarillo, Texas. Services will be at Trinity Lutheran Church, Amarillo, at 4pm on Saturday, January 13, the Reverend Brian Hesse officiating. Following the service, family will receive guests in the church parlor. KC selected to have his body donated to Texas Tech Health Science Center. Arrangements are under the personal care of LaGrone-Blackburn Shaw Funeral Directors, 8310 S. Coulter Road.

He was born on August 17, 1945, in Ft. Worth, Texas, and married Mary Kathryn Kube on July 2, 1967, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Borger, Texas. KC proudly served his nation in the United States Army. He was stationed in West Berlin, Germany with the Berlin Brigade at the U.S. Army Security Agency Field Station Berlin. In Vietnam he served at the 8th Radio Research Field Station in Phu Bai and with the 265th Radio Research Company supporting the 101st Airborne Division at Camp Evans. After 9 years in the Texas National Guard and 9 years in the U.S. Army Reserves he retired as Master Sergeant in 1991. KC was an Intelligence Analyst and an Infantry NCO.

KC graduated from Texas Tech University in 1974 with a BA in Psychology and did graduate work in Industrial Engineering and Applied Mathematics. Most of his working career was with the energy company Amoco in Levelland, Houston and Ulysses, Kansas. KC worked in Information Technology for most of his career. In 1998 Amoco merged with British Petroleum to form BP. He retired after 25 years with Amoco BP in 2004.
KC was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Amarillo, and was a member of the Rotary Club of Amarillo East. He was a charter member of the Sentinel Chapter of the 101st Airborne Division Association and a member of the Fire Support Base Ripcord Association. He loved backpacking, genealogy work, family get togethers, and coffee with the guys.

KC was preceded in death by his parents Dorothea Jean (Brinkman) and Kemett Cebert Messenger, Sr.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary; a son Michael Kemett Messenger and wife Mari of San Antonio, Texas; a daughter Laura May Dirickson and husband Josh of Kingsville, Texas; sister Gayla Jean Smith and husband Allen of Piedmont, Oklahoma; sister Patricia Anne Demand and husband Gary of Keller, Texas; and brother Lance Royal Messenger of Huntsville, Texas; two grandchildren, Tyler Mae Dirickson and Todd Martin Dirickson, along with other beloved extended family.

Memorials may be sent to Trinity Lutheran School, 5005 I-40 W., Amarillo, Texas.

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