Walter Kemp was born in Baltimore MD, the son of the late Walter E. Kemp, Sr., and Anna Marie Post Kemp. He was the oldest of 7 children. As a young boy, he delivered newspapers and worked on an ice wagon during the summers and weekends. At the age of 11, he began working for Greenfield Electric in Baltimore. In April 1933 he enlisted in the Naval Reserve, serving for 4 years. After being honorably discharged, he returned to work at Greenfield's. On Sundays he and his boss's son would attend different Society of Friends meetings in Maryland and neighboring states. During a visit to the Goose Creek Friends Meeting in Lincoln, Virginia, Mr Kemp met his future bride, Ruth Hannah Brown. When they decided to marry, they planned to live in Baltimore, but his future father-in-law convinced him to buy Lindent McDaniel's business which was up for sale in Purcellville, Virginia. McDaniel handled Frigidaire products, DeLaval milkers, and also did electrical work. So in September 1941, with the financial help of his soon-to-be father-in-law, he bought the business, giving his boss, Mr Greenfield, 2 weeks' notice. He moved to Lincoln, staying with friends, and just a few weeks later on October 12, 1941 (his in-laws' 25th wedding anniversary), he and Ruth were married. They moved in with her parents on their small dairy farm until moving next door into their own place. He owned and operated Kemp's Electrical, Plumbing, and Heating for 46 years. He served as a Special Deputy for the Loudoun County Sheriff's Department. He was past president and life member of the Purcellville Lions Club, past president of the Hamilton Ruritan Club, past zone governor for two years; member of the Purcellville Town Council, the Purcellville Volunteer Fire Department, Kena Shrine Temple, Leesburg Shrine Temple, and the Hamilton Masonic Lodge #37 for 35 years.
Upon retirement in 1987, the Kemps moved to Lexington SC to be closer to their son and grandchildren. There he continued to be active in the community. He was president of the Lexington Lions Club, a Melvin Jons Fellow, past president of the Gilbert Ruritan Club, past zone governor for two years; Lexington Chamber of Commerce member, and President's Award and Life member of Lexington Masonic Lodge #152. He belonged to the Jamil Shrine Temple, serving as Director of the Hospital Relations Unit. He also volunteered for Adopt-a-Family program and Meals on Wheels.
In a November 1989 article in The Dispatch-News, Lexington, South Carolina, written about Mr Kemp, he explained the philosophy he lived by, "you can't go around with a long face! If no one likes your jokes, tell 'em to someone else. Be a little forward, don't sit back, and do the best you can."
He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth and their son David R. Kemp. He is survived by two children and two grandchildren.
A brother, Wesley William Kemp, disappeared when he was 17 or 18 years of age. Walter Kemp spent his life searching for him.
Upon retirement in 1987, the Kemps moved to Lexington SC to be closer to their son and grandchildren. There he continued to be active in the community. He was president of the Lexington Lions Club, a Melvin Jons Fellow, past president of the Gilbert Ruritan Club, past zone governor for two years; Lexington Chamber of Commerce member, and President's Award and Life member of Lexington Masonic Lodge #152. He belonged to the Jamil Shrine Temple, serving as Director of the Hospital Relations Unit. He also volunteered for Adopt-a-Family program and Meals on Wheels.
In a November 1989 article in The Dispatch-News, Lexington, South Carolina, written about Mr Kemp, he explained the philosophy he lived by, "you can't go around with a long face! If no one likes your jokes, tell 'em to someone else. Be a little forward, don't sit back, and do the best you can."
He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth and their son David R. Kemp. He is survived by two children and two grandchildren.
A brother, Wesley William Kemp, disappeared when he was 17 or 18 years of age. Walter Kemp spent his life searching for him.
Walter Kemp was born in Baltimore MD, the son of the late Walter E. Kemp, Sr., and Anna Marie Post Kemp. He was the oldest of 7 children. As a young boy, he delivered newspapers and worked on an ice wagon during the summers and weekends. At the age of 11, he began working for Greenfield Electric in Baltimore. In April 1933 he enlisted in the Naval Reserve, serving for 4 years. After being honorably discharged, he returned to work at Greenfield's. On Sundays he and his boss's son would attend different Society of Friends meetings in Maryland and neighboring states. During a visit to the Goose Creek Friends Meeting in Lincoln, Virginia, Mr Kemp met his future bride, Ruth Hannah Brown. When they decided to marry, they planned to live in Baltimore, but his future father-in-law convinced him to buy Lindent McDaniel's business which was up for sale in Purcellville, Virginia. McDaniel handled Frigidaire products, DeLaval milkers, and also did electrical work. So in September 1941, with the financial help of his soon-to-be father-in-law, he bought the business, giving his boss, Mr Greenfield, 2 weeks' notice. He moved to Lincoln, staying with friends, and just a few weeks later on October 12, 1941 (his in-laws' 25th wedding anniversary), he and Ruth were married. They moved in with her parents on their small dairy farm until moving next door into their own place. He owned and operated Kemp's Electrical, Plumbing, and Heating for 46 years. He served as a Special Deputy for the Loudoun County Sheriff's Department. He was past president and life member of the Purcellville Lions Club, past president of the Hamilton Ruritan Club, past zone governor for two years; member of the Purcellville Town Council, the Purcellville Volunteer Fire Department, Kena Shrine Temple, Leesburg Shrine Temple, and the Hamilton Masonic Lodge #37 for 35 years.
Upon retirement in 1987, the Kemps moved to Lexington SC to be closer to their son and grandchildren. There he continued to be active in the community. He was president of the Lexington Lions Club, a Melvin Jons Fellow, past president of the Gilbert Ruritan Club, past zone governor for two years; Lexington Chamber of Commerce member, and President's Award and Life member of Lexington Masonic Lodge #152. He belonged to the Jamil Shrine Temple, serving as Director of the Hospital Relations Unit. He also volunteered for Adopt-a-Family program and Meals on Wheels.
In a November 1989 article in The Dispatch-News, Lexington, South Carolina, written about Mr Kemp, he explained the philosophy he lived by, "you can't go around with a long face! If no one likes your jokes, tell 'em to someone else. Be a little forward, don't sit back, and do the best you can."
He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth and their son David R. Kemp. He is survived by two children and two grandchildren.
A brother, Wesley William Kemp, disappeared when he was 17 or 18 years of age. Walter Kemp spent his life searching for him.
Upon retirement in 1987, the Kemps moved to Lexington SC to be closer to their son and grandchildren. There he continued to be active in the community. He was president of the Lexington Lions Club, a Melvin Jons Fellow, past president of the Gilbert Ruritan Club, past zone governor for two years; Lexington Chamber of Commerce member, and President's Award and Life member of Lexington Masonic Lodge #152. He belonged to the Jamil Shrine Temple, serving as Director of the Hospital Relations Unit. He also volunteered for Adopt-a-Family program and Meals on Wheels.
In a November 1989 article in The Dispatch-News, Lexington, South Carolina, written about Mr Kemp, he explained the philosophy he lived by, "you can't go around with a long face! If no one likes your jokes, tell 'em to someone else. Be a little forward, don't sit back, and do the best you can."
He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth and their son David R. Kemp. He is survived by two children and two grandchildren.
A brother, Wesley William Kemp, disappeared when he was 17 or 18 years of age. Walter Kemp spent his life searching for him.
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