Larry Kempton

1952 - 2024

Green Valley, AZ

Larry Richard Kempton, of Green Valley, AZ, passed away at his home surrounded by loving family on July 13th, 2024, after an 8-year battle with Multiple Systems Atrophy.

Larry was born on December 4th, 1952, in Tucson, AZ, the youngest child and only son of Donald and Florence (Weidinger) Kempton. He spent his youth in Williamsport, OH, helping his family on Meadoway Farm and participating actively in many 4-H events. Larry attended Westfall High School where he participated in basketball, cross country, and the school musical. Throughout his life, Larry retained close friendships with classmates Jerrold Fields, Tim McCoy, and Dr. Randy Alkire. After graduating in 1971, Larry spent a semester at Ohio State before returning home to help run the farm for two more years. When it came time to apply to colleges once again, Larry fondly remembered a western road trip a few years prior and applied to the University of Wyoming, moving to Laramie in 1973 to begin his journey as a Cowboy. He was extremely proud to be associated with UW and maintained his college friendships, like those with fellow "boneheads," Daniel "Zeke" Dapra and Dr. Leonard Moore, for the rest of his life. After graduating with his degree in Agriculture Communications in 1977, Larry was hired by the American Jersey Cattle Association as an area representative serving New England and New York, and later as editor of the Jersey Journal. It was through the former position that Larry met the love of his life, a farmer's daughter in Vermont named Tamara Lee Gates.

Larry and Tammy were married in Franklin, VT, on June 18th, 1981. Together they had three children, whom Larry described as his greatest achievement. After serving as a dairy manager on large dairy farms in Durham, NH, and then Athens, TN, Larry returned to Ohio in 1984 and took a role traveling the world as part of the Jersey Marketing Service. In 1988, Larry and Tammy moved to her hometown of Franklin to pursue their dream of running a family farm. That dream, Meadoway Jerseys, was Larry's passion; a dairy herd of registered and pedigreed animals that won regional and national awards and allowed the young family to grow up "on the farm," just as he and Tammy had done.

Although his "career" as a farmer ended in 1994, dairy farming was deeply embedded in Larry's DNA and he maintained an impressive repertoire of dairy knowledge up until the day he died. Additionally, in 1994, Larry became a licensed auctioneer and enjoyed the opportunity to serve for a number of years as the auctioneer for the annual sales of the Vermont Jersey Breeders Association, as well as the New England Jersey Breeders Association, for which he was a recipient of the Distinguished Service award. Larry loved cows and reveled in the opportunity to "talk shop" with anyone else in the dairy world who was up for it.

The decision to sell their herd of milking cows, though very painful, afforded Larry and Tammy the opportunity to do something they had long dreamed about: taking their children on a three-month cross-country camping trip in the summer of 1997. "The Trip" was a formidable experience for all five Kemptons, and also provided years of conversation starters and inside jokes.

During his time in Vermont, Larry held a number of volunteer positions such as Vacation Bible School recreation coordinator, EMT, counselor at Green Mountain Boys' State, youth baseball and basketball coach, and town select board member. Larry's involvement in local government eventually led to his role as the Town Administrator of Highgate, VT from 2001-2007, a position which he greatly enjoyed. Larry also served on a number of boards and committees during this time, including the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, the Northwest Regional Planning Commission, and the Franklin County chapter of the Vermont Republican Party.

In 2007, following the high school graduation of their youngest child (Riley's brother), Larry and Tammy traded the frigid Vermont winters for the warm sunshine of Green Valley, AZ. In 2010, they started Homewatch CareGivers of Green Valley. Having always been committed to helping others in his community, Larry relished the new opportunity to provide personalized at-home care to his neighbors, as well as jobs for hundreds of caregivers. In marketing this endeavor, Larry's aptitude for networking led him into a long-time volunteer position with the Desert Southwest Chapter of the Arizona Alzheimer's Association, as well as presidential terms with the Green Valley/Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce and Valle Verde Rotary. His faith being of great importance to him, he was both a loyal church parishioner and usher at Desert Hills Lutheran Church. In his final years, he was deeply fulfilled by this involvement in the church, especially his participation in Bookmen.

Larry was eclectic and passionate. An avid traveler, he visited five continents and all 50 states. Tremendously curious, always reading - almost exclusively non-fiction, he was a lover of country and gospel music and musical theatre. Larry's favorite film was 'The Music Man,' and he was known to fall asleep (night after night) within the first fifteen minutes of 'White Christmas.' We're still not sure if he ever saw the ending. Larry was an unabashed singer who would ably sing at any opportunity; of particular note were his performances of "Old Home Place" during summer bluegrass parties. Larry always cooked enough food to have leftovers and enjoyed happy hour, sometimes for more than 60 minutes at a time. He enjoyed the comic strip 'Pogo,' 'Prairie Home Companion,' bad jokes, well written words, feeding his animals extra on Christmas morning, golf, basketball, football, and basically every sport except soccer.

He will be remembered for his characteristic mustache, his thundering laugh, and for keeping the radio and television in the house about twice as loud as necessary. He will also be remembered for his smile and his kindness.

Larry is survived by his wife, Tamara, who stood fast to her commitment to love him through sickness and health across 43 years of marriage; their three children: Riley Kempton (Annette) of Tucson, AZ, Rebecca Fulton (Nick) of Laramie, WY, and Wesley Kempton (Madison) of Franklin, VT; seven grandchildren, of whom he was so proud: Marcelo Manning, Elizabeth, Amelia, Evangeline, and Thomas Kempton, and Gwenna and Mara Fulton; his sisters and brothers-in-law Patricia and Rick Pond of Grove City, OH, and Donna and Ed Evans of Circleville, OH; many nieces and nephews, cousins, and a large supportive family on Tammy's side. In addition to his parents, Larry was predeceased by his sister, Linda Kempton Leduc.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to all who assisted in Larry's care during his final days, especially Homewatch CareGivers, Harmony Hospice, Pastor Mike Sager and the Desert Hills Lutheran Church.

Per Larry's wishes, his body has been donated to science to aid in the continuation of human knowledge and discovery. It was also Larry's wish that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his memory to Multiple System Atrophy research or The American Jersey Cattle Association research foundation.

Mission MSA

1660 International Drive, Ste 600, McLean, VA 22102

Donate to General Online Giving

or

The American Jersey Cattle Association

AJCC Research Foundation

6486 E. Main St.,

Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, August 31 at Desert Hills Lutheran Church. A luncheon will follow the service.

Please come and celebrate Larry's wonderful life.

Larry Kempton