Everyone needs some kind of support system in their life, and for Jhonattan Vegas, that support is nothing but his family. Literally. When Vegas arrived at the University of Texas 14 years ago with just a suitcase and a set of well-worn clubs, it was Dick Kemp and his wife Melisa who became his American parents, providing him with the love, care, and financial support he needed to thrive. Dick, a fourth-generation Austin resident and successful businessman, took Vegas under his wing, becoming his legal guardian and helping him navigate college life.
“He gave me that confidence to keep going forward, knowing that I had someone looking after me,” Vegas said, remembering the kindness Dick showed him. Vegas’ biological parents, Carlos and Maritza, were struggling financially in Venezuela after their business was taken away for signing a recall petition against Hugo Chavez, but Dick and Melisa’s support allowed Jhonattan to focus on his golf career.
The Kemps’s influence on Vegas’s life went beyond just financial support. Dick taught him how to fish, offered advice on his golf swing, and became a constant source of encouragement. Vegas affectionately referred to Dick as “big boy” and described him as a man of principle who took pride in doing things the right way.
This is a developing story…
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