James Murray Kemp

James Murray Kemp, 84, Moorhead, MN, died Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at Lilac Homes in Moorhead, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Jim was born January 30, 1935 in Minneapolis, MN, to Bernard and Marguerite (Murray) Kemp.  The family moved to Moorhead when Jim was 6 months old, and he would remain a proud resident of Moorhead for his entire life.  He graduated from Moorhead High School in 1954 and went on active duty in the U.S. Navy in the fall of that year.  He was stationed out of San Diego and Honolulu and spoke of participating in atomic testing in the Pacific.

On August 31, 1957, Jim married Sharon Johnson and they had 3 children together.  Jim owned and operated Kemp Oil Company in Moorhead until he sold the business in 1976.  He went on to retire from Timpte Trailer Company in 1999.  In retirement, Jim loved going to the lake.  Round Lake was a special place for him, as he grew up on that lake.  Jim will be remembered for his ability to fix just about anything and his willingness to help anyone in need.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon, of Moorhead; sons, Ben Kemp, of Fargo, ND and Ronald Kemp, of Chandler, AZ; daughter, Adele (Louis) Tomsu, of  Mansfield, MO; grandchildren, Megan and Alex Sampson, Lindsay Zabka, Katie and Kevin Kemp and Dylan Tomsu, and 4 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at 2:00 P.M., at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead.  Friends and family may gather from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M.