Vernon "Pete" Ianson Slemp, Jr.

Vernon Ianson “Pete” Slemp, Jr., of Jewett, passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at Scott and White Hospital in Temple, at age 84. Visitation will be Monday, February 9, 2009 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Groesbeck Funeral Home. Services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 10, 2009, at the Little Flock Baptist Church, with Reverend Tad Traylor officiating. Interment will follow at the Little Flock Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mickey Phillips, Greg Phillips, Mark Phillips, Scott Sherrill, Jason Sherrill, Steve Sherrill, Garrett Sherrill, and Julie Sherrill. Vernon “Pete” Slemp was born November 20, 1924, to Vernon Slemp, Sr. and Margaret (Branch) Slemp in Sugar Grove, Virginia. He grew up there, and graduated from high school in Sugar Grove in 1942, then attended Virginia Poly Technical College until enlistment in the military. He served his country during World War II in the U. S. Air Force. During his four and one-half years in the Air Force, he had 150 hours flying time, with three and one-half years as an aerial gunner and bomb armament chief. After his honorable discharge in 1947, he continued to serve in the United States Air Force Reserves through 1953. He began work in 1947, while still serving in the reserves, in San Benito, Texas, for Central Power and Light Company, and worked as an operator in power plants and refineries in Port Brownsville and Texas City through 1987. He retired from Texas City Refinery in June, 1987, with 36 years experience, and then continued to work after that for Sun Oil Company, Chevron U.S.A., and Kerr-McGee Refining Company on shut-down inspections. In 1955, Pete was united in marriage with Billie Ferrell Rhodes at Galveston, Texas, and they lived in the Texas City area. Pete and Billie moved to Lake Limestone near Jewett in 2007, where he enjoyed fishing, gardening, and visits from his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a member of Landmark Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Slemp was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Dalton Ray Sherrill. He is survived by his wife, Billie Ferrell Slemp, a daughter, Doris Lorraine Phillips and husband John of San Antonio, Texas; son, Robert Gene Sherrill and wife Brenda of Jewett, Texas; son, Joe Allegreta and wife Sue of Albany, New York; brother, Dan (Abe) Slemp of Sugar Grove, Virginia; and two sisters, Barbara (Tillie) Slemp Crews of Birmingham, Alabama, and Margaret (Peggy Sue) Slemp of Newport News, Virginia. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.