Jack Kemper (Right) hands over ownership of his company Jack Kemper Painting to John Martin (Left). Martin and Kemper will still work together after Kemper retires. (Photo by George Johnston)

It began with two friends in a coffee shop. Jack Kemper and John Martin would meet with one another, order a cup of joe and discuss everything under the sun. One day, Kemper told Martin he would be retiring from his contracting business, Jack Kemper Painting, and he wanted Martin to take over.
Martin was initially skeptical when Kemper announced his retirement, but he quickly accepted his friend’s desire to explore new avenues of life. They then began planning the best way to merge Jack Kemper Painting with Style Painting. It was important to Martin that Kemper’s employees were all on board with this transition, and they could all match the quality Martin expects from his own employees.
“I was very impressed with his men,” Martin said “Everybody I’ve talked to have had rave reviews about him. I’m real comfortable that they are going to get that same quality, same performance in everything else. We’ve gone, we’ve checked the number, we’ve checked everything out to see that would be something that works for me, and I am very comfortable with it.”
The 76-year-old, who enjoys fishing in areas like Oroville and Clear Lake, agreed with his friend’s assessment.
“I feel real comfortable passing it along to him because he’s reputable, experience and I’m happy for him to take over because I’ve got a responsibility to my people in this town,” Kemper said.
Kemper began working in Benicia more than 50 years ago. His reputation precedes him to point where people will wait a year for Kemper and his crew to paint their home.
“This has been one the busiest seasons I have ever had,” Kemper said. “I am always working even during the winter time, but this year there are so many people spending money not just in the painting industry but everywhere I think the economy’s good.”
The crew transitioning to Martin’s company has been with Kemper for nine years, and the crew before that was with him for 19 years.
“(It’s) difficult to find good painters,” Kemper said. “Difficult to find people who will come to work. It’s very difficult. The work is very difficult and in the industry, it’s difficult to find people that will come to work, that want to work, that are experienced.”
Martin has been self-employed for more than 30 years. He started at a part-time job where he was also painting. Martin noticed he was naturally inclined to become a painter and began honing his craft. Working for as an utterance for a union, Martin was making $6.67 an hour in 1976. Martin spent 11 years in the union gaining experience and finally deciding he coould work on his own. From that day on, Martin was self-employed.
“I am looking forward to getting to know him better and to be friends,” Martin said. “I’m trying to push him out the door. I want to stay around, I want to pick his brains. I want to his clients feel the same way about me as they did about him. I still want him around ’cause you know what? He’s a really nice man and he’s a lot of fun. He’s witty, he’s charming. I hope he stays around for as long as he wants unless he’s fishing.”
Though retiring, Kemper plans to stay active. He will remain active in the paint business, painting when he can and offering advice to Martin when asked for it. Kemper also said he’ll try to get in some more fishing in now.
“You will receive the same quality received with the new owner, John Martin of Style Painting,” Kemper said.

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