James Kemm

JAMES OSWALD "JIM" KEMM, 90, died peacefully in his sleep on November 23, 2011, after a brief illness. Jim, a loving family man, was a freelance writer who had a long career in public relations, trade association management and journalism.

Jim was born on May 6, 1921, in Springfield, Missouri, one of four children born to Oswald and Vivian (Baldridge) Kemm. He served during World War II as a cryptographer with the Army Airways Communications System in Alaska and the Aleutians. Following the war, he attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, where he met and married the love of his life, Betty Ann Harner. During their 64 year marriage, they raised three daughters, traveled extensively, and enjoyed relaxing at their cabin in Missouri. Jim loved art, history, singing, fishing, and watching his beloved Mizzou Tigers teams.

A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, he was assistant professor of journalism at Rider College in New Jersey, then worked on the editorial staff of the Springfield, Missouri, newspaper. He was a member of Kappa Tau Alpha honorary journalistic society.

In 1958, Jim wrote Let's Talk Petroleum, which was used as a university marketing textbook.

He was executive manager of the Oklahoma Petroleum Council from 1958 until its merger in 1982 into the Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association of Oklahoma, becoming its executive vice president of public relations. He retired in 1983.

Since his retirement, his articles have appeared in numerous magazines and specialized publications. His 1997 book Rupert Hughes: A Hollywood Legend, has been called a "solidly researched biography of one of the most popular literary figures of his time".

In 1997 Jim was the executive editor of the statewide Oklahoma Energy Centennial commemorative publication.

In 2004 his book Tulsa, Oil Capital of the World was published as part of the Images of America series. This book features rare and historic images of the oil fields, people, and businesses that gave life to Tulsa. Many of the images were original photos taken by Jim or from his extensive collection of vintage Oklahoma Oil postcards.

Jim served as President and Vice-President of the Oklahoma Historical Society, and he served on the Society's Board of Directors for 18 years. In 2007, he retired as Treasurer and was named Board Director Emeritus.

An accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America, he served as president of its Oklahoma Chapter. The Tulsa Chapter of PRSA presented him its 1980 Silver Link Award as the Public Relations Professional of the Year, and in 1992 named him a Pioneer in Public Relations.

He is a past president of the Eastern Oklahoma Chapter of Sigma Delta Chi (now the Society of Professional Journalists) and the Tulsa Society of Association Executives, which he helped found. He won a national Award of Merit for Management Achievement from the American Society of Association Executives, of which he was a life member.

He was appointed chairman of the Governor's Council on Tourist Development by Oklahoma Governor Henry Bellmon and vice chairman of a similar advisory group by Governor Dewey Bartlett.

He was a loyal member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Tulsa since 1953.

Jim is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Ann (Harner) Kemm; his three daughters, Nancy Pomerantz of Dunedin, FL, Kathy Doss and husband Randy, of Tulsa, and Martha Landes and husband Dan of Rio Rancho, NM; eight grandchildren, Jeremy Pomerantz, Jessica Hochman, Joshua Nelson and Chiara Dickson all of Los Angeles, CA; Eric Doss and Adam Doss, of Tulsa; Emily Rodriguez of Denver CO; and Elizabeth Barrett of Norman, OK; and seven great-grandchildren, Jamie, Stephanie & Alyssa Pomerantz, Brady Beard, Harper, Thor and Torren Doss.

A service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, November 30, at 2 pm. Family suggests contributions may be made to the Oklahoma Historical Society, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive - Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or the Tulsa Area Conservation Foundation, 5401 S Sheridan Rd, Suite 201, Tulsa OK 74145.