John Kemp Kagy

John Kemp Kagy, M.D. born in Van Buren, Arkansas July 26, 1935, to Treva and John Russell Kagy, Dr. John passed away peacefully February 17, 2017, surrounded by family and in the arms of his loving wife. He attended elementary school in Van Buren public schools, then high school in Fort Smith at Saint Anne's Academy. From there he attended Fort Smith Junior College and then Saint Vincent school of medical technology in Little Rock. He taught biochemistry in the Saint Vincent school of nursing. Here he met his future wife, Camille Annette Metrailer, who was a student in the medical technology school. He entered the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in 1958, married June 11, 1960, and graduated from medical school in 1963. From there he did an internship at Saint Vincent Infirmary and an extra year as a house officer. He was a diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice, and opened his private practice office in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1965. He closed his office in 1983 and joined the staff at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Little Rock, where he cared for patients until his retirement in January, 1999. After retirement he volunteered one day a week at Arkansas Hospice inpatient locations in Little Rock and North Little Rock. For 10 years he volunteered his talent and compassion to Saint Vincent free medical clinic one day per week. He is survived by his wife of nearly 57 years, Annette, and his children, John Jeffrey Kagy, Matthew Kemp Kagy (Lori), and Camille Anne Kagy Chambers, and five grandchildren, Bradey Camille Chambers, James Kemp Kagy, Zachary Andrew Kagy, Michael Joseph Kagy, and Samantha Blair Kagy, whom he dearly loved and whose lives he greatly influenced. He was an avid deer hunter, fisherman, and thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors. The mere mention of his name would strike fear in the hearts of buck deer, largemouth bass, and any snake that dared not flee on sight. He was a selfless man whose generosity was largely unseen but always immeasurable. He was a dedicated, compassionate physician, an excellent diagnostician, and a generous and trusted friend. But mostly, he was an exemplary husband and father which, after all, is the truest measure of a man's character and achievement during his life on earth. The family received guests at 6:30 p.m., followed by A Rosary at 7 p.m. on Monday, February 20 in the chapel of Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth. Mass of Christian burial will be at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church at 1 p.m., Tuesday February 21 with Monsignor Lawrence Frederick officiating. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Arkansas Children's Hospital or Arkansas Pregnancy Resource Center.