Garth Dalmain Kemp

Garth Dalmain Kemp, 93, passed away peacefully Saturday, July 6, 2024 in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was born on August 30, 1930 to Kenneth Leroy Kemp and Grace Elizabeth Daniel Kemp. 

 He spent much of his childhood in Kutztown, PA, a Pennsylvania Dutch community. His father relocated the family to Huntingdon, TN to expand his men’s shirt manufacturing business. Shortly thereafter, Garth entered college at age 15 and graduated with degrees in Math and History from Bethel University in McKenzie, TN. During his college years, he and his brothers formed a jazz band where he played saxophone and performed for various local events, dances and charities. 

 Garth soon met his wife (Shirley Jean Lewis) and began their life together in Huntingdon where they raised their oldest son, Mike. He soon moved from teaching to pursue an insurance career in Houston, TX. While living in Houston, both his daughter, Jan, and his youngest son, Danny, were born. Garth enjoyed a highly successful insurance career in upper management moving from Houston to Nashville/Murfreesboro and, finally, to Jackson, MS where he retired in 1993.

 Garth was an active member in his community. He served as a deacon and choir member for the First Presbyterian Church in Murfreesboro, TN. He was also a longstanding Masonic Member of the Al Menah Shriner's Masonic Lodge in Nashville. In Jackson MS, he was honored to be selected as part of the talented Mississippi State Choir. Garth was also a member of the Sir Walter Scott Coffee Club of Jackson where the members shared jokes and memories while solving world problems over a cup of coffee. 

His appreciation of good humor was evidenced during family reunions, trips and even his day-to-day living. All were filled with laughter generated from his jokes, incredible stories and tales of pranks he and his brothers or friends would play on one another. Never was there a situation in life where Garth could not find a moment for making friends or sharing a laugh. 

 Privately, Garth was a patron to MD Anderson Cancer Center and St. Jude's Children's Hospital. He also supported the Shriner's Children's Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, his church and many charities. In addition to his evidence of love for these organizations was his love and continued care for his wife. To honor Jean and their marriage of 60 years at the time, Garth dedicated a Habitat for Humanity house in Jackson, MS in 2013.

Garth is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Kenneth Kemp and Nils Kemp. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Shirley Jean Lewis Kemp; his three children, Mike Kemp (Paula) of Shreveport, LA, Jan Odom (Randy) of Murfreesboro, TN, and Danny Kemp of Syracuse, NY; his eight grandchildren, Janey Kemp of San Francisco, CA; Hunter Kemp, Lashlee Dobson (David) and Tate Odom of Murfreesboro, TN; Laura Caraway (Clayton) of Bossier City, LA; Brooke James (Jeremy) of Madisonville, LA;, and Karli Kemp and Ryan Kemp of Syracuse, NY; as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren.

His family wishes to thank the employees and residents of The Chateau and Montclair Park in Shreveport for their genuine love, care and friendship over the past year. He truly loved each of you and we, his family, appreciate all of you very much. 

Memorials or donations may be made in Garth's memory to any of the charities above in lieu of flowers. A private celebration of life will be announced at a future date.