Eulogy

David Kemper was born February 4th 1952 to Theodore and Vera Kemper in Washington. He was the baby of the family with 2 older brothers and 3 older sisters.  His family didn't have much in the way of material posessions, but he was always proud to say that his dad never let that stop him even during the depression.  He would find whatever work was available including digging ditch, salesman and fruit processor.  This "never quit" attitude was something Dad felt strongly about and emulated in his life right up to the end.


His family was not always a part of this great gospel that he loved so much. While his mother grew up a member of the church, his father had been at best an inactive Baptist until just 7 years before David's birth. Dad loved to tell the story of his father's conversion to the gospel that was such a big part of his life.  He said his father Theodore watched a movie about Brigham Young that was put out by one of the poplular movie companies back in the day.  A line in the movie from Brigham young was so poinant that his father changed his stance and joined the church and their entire family was sealed in the temple just 2 years before their last child, My father, David was born. The faith and actions of his parents would be an example David looked to, to guide his actions during the rest of his years on this earth.

Dad had his struggles growing up especially in his primary school years. Due to the strength of his character in enduring those struggles some of those he struggled with not only regretted their actions, but made sure my father knew the level of respect he had gained in their eyes that they now teach their children to be like him. If you asked him Dad would tell you he overcame his experiences in his youth through the Atonement of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. These struggles though hard taught Dad to treat others the way he wanted to be treated.  From all accounts since his passing he was a very kind man to all he came in contact with. Leaving behind a legacy of uplifting goodness and many heavy hearts who will miss his wonderful personality and ways.

His classmate and lifelong friend Dave Oman wrote:

Dear Family.
I count your dad and husband among my closest friends. When you kids were just little guys I was your Home Teacher. Your dad put in long hours learning the locksmithing business with his dad and brothers. You guys lived out on your Grandad's property. You were all such CHARACTERS. Well those apples didn't fall far from the tree, did they? You know David was picked as the Senior Class Favorite for "Most Unforgettable Boy" from our Class.

Dear David..
I shall NEVER forget our long talks and being "music majors" together. God bless all of your beloved friends and family who you have had to leave behind. I love and miss you David  Kemper..... David Oman

Dad completed his primary school years and went on to college graduating with Highest Honors in Business and an Associates Degree in Accounting.  He later graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration.  While none of those were the "Music Major" his friend David jokingly mentioned it is fair to state Dad loved music.  He played piano, trumpet and trombone as well as sang in many a choir. Most notable was the Institute Choir which sang at the 1974 Spokane Worlds Fair.  He also mentioned a love of dancing as well as having written a piece for his college Jazz Band that was played at the Orange Coast College in California. His niece mentioned his piano playing being an inspiration for her to not only learn to play herself, but to teach all her children as well.  His grandsons too, greatly enjoy playing music and have a rich family heritage to look back on that includes their Grandpa Kemper. One of his favorite songs was "My Way" which was sung by both Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra and included words like:

 And now, the end is here
 And so I face the final curtain
 My friend, I'll say it clear
 I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
 I've lived a life that's full
 I traveled each and ev'ry highway
 And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Anyone who knew Dad, certainly knows he had his own way of going about things and so how very apt it was a favorite song of his.

When asked once what his most memorable spirtual experiences were Dad said, "When he realized his own testimony of the gospel.  When he gained a sure knowledge of the existence of God and of life in the eternal word."  Dad shared this testimony throughout his life including when he formally served in the Minnesota/Manitoba Mission. Some of his most memorable missionary work however was in his recent years as he struggled through his cancer. Many people I have talked to have expressed amazement with how positive Dad was about his struggles. Dad saw his trials as an opportunity to be an example and to help others.  He shared and even reminded some about the gospel bringing several sheep into the fold.  His missionary example during his cancer was not one that could be missed even by the most doubting individual and this too is a great legacy he leaves to us.

Shortly after his Worlds Fair Choir experience he was married.  From that marriage he would have 4 children. During this marriage Dad enlisted in the United States Army.  This would take our family across country and ocean for the next 5 years until we made it back home where he was honorably discharged and once again a civilian though we're not sure if either of our parents were aware of this civilian status since one of our main punishments if we were naughty growing up were pushups, army style. It made us good and strong for farm work though.

After moving state side David and his wife went their seperate ways.  Several years after that Dad married again and gained a step-daughter. As the years went on their children grew and began to get married.  Dad would pass from this life with 4 biological children, 1 step-daughter, a son-in-law, two daughter-in-laws, 5 grandchildren and four step-grandchildren all of whom he loved very much and proudly spoke of each of them and their accomplishments whenever he had the chance.

After the children were grown David and his wife again went their seperate ways it was some years before he met the woman who would be the love of his life, the one even his children said brought the most personal growth to him.  Her patient and loving ways helped him to become the man so many of you knew. David and his wife were married  in The Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and while so many are saddened by the shortened time they had together in this life He and his wife truly believe in the eternal covenants they made at their wedding and that they have a forever marriage that goes beyond this mortal life.  They know they will be together again some day and while we want to have his wife with us as long as possible we too will be happy for them when they are reunited.

During their short time together Dad contracted a rare form of cancer called Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a type of cancer one usually gets from exposure to Agent Orange.

On June 29th 2014 his wife shared:
Dave and I had a long talk today before his pain got too bad. He had finally realized that the Lord wants him home and that life is no longer sweet and desirable to him. He was trying to hang on for me as he was worried that he had not taken good enough care of me. I explained to him that he had provided me with the best possible gift one could ever have. The gift of being sealed for all time and eternity to a man who had honored his priesthood, his temple covenants, loved me, with all my faults, unconditionally and had given all he had to the Lord. I told him he could go home and hear, "well done though good and faithful servant."

After this talk with his wife and a five year battle everyone agrees he fought fiercely he laid down his sword and passed from this life to be with his parents, brother and especially his Father in Heaven in his home with his family around him. He was 62. Certainly too young to go, but though he laid down his mortal sword, none of us doubt he jumped right in and is ready to continue his missionary service in Heaven.

I’ve recently said I will miss calling my dad.  Even listening to the voicemail pick up in his house this past week and listening to his voice it gave each of us a moment to pause and consider what a comfort and great bonding time our talks have been as we were states apart.  In the end distance and life didn't matter.  His children though dealing with struggles of their own, would drop everything to be there for his last moments. Forever will the memory of holding his hand as he passed from this life stand as one of my most treasured of memories.

In closing I would like to read some stanzas I wrote during this time.

During his last moments
 I sat transfixed
 To learn
 A profound truth
 About a father
 Who I had grown to know
 So very well
 Amazed,
 I watched him fight
 For every breath
 Long after the essence of who he was
 Had departed this world
 His body continued to fight
 His body continued to struggle
 It was as though
 Even without its spirit
 To tell it to go
 It thought
 It still had something to fight for

Now I stand trying to pay tribute to his life,
and wonder where to even start.
I have so many things I could say.
I have so many lessons I could draw from,
to turn around and share.
I have the final lesson he taught me.
To pay real tribute
I need simply,
to live those lessons
he taught me.

We'll miss you Dad, but we'll see you again some day and in the mean time we'll remember the lessons you taught us and carry on in your stead.