Kirk Kemper

Kirk Dennis Kemper

1957 – 2025

Kirk Dennis Kemper, on January 8th, 2025, departed this world to be with our heavenly father. Kirk was born January 7th, 1957 and was Edmond’s first New Year’s baby. He was the youngest of four children to Richard and Nancy Kemper.  He attended all 12 years of school in Edmond and was very proud to say he was a member of the Twelve-Year Club.  He was a 1975 graduate of Edmond Memorial Highschool.  After graduating, he furthered his education at the University of Central Oklahoma.  

Kirk was employed for many years as a salesman of building materials and hardware. Customers and employers loved Kirk.  He always had a great attitude and a good sense of humor along with that infectious smile and contagious laugh. Not to mention, he was just a wee bit mischievous, that definitely made him more fun.

Kirk was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when only a baby.  He courageously dealt with medical challenges the majority of his life.  In his late 30’s his health became critical when the diabetes led him into renal failure.  He was on kidney dialysis for approximately 18 months while waiting for a new kidney. On December 23,1997, he received the call that he’d been anxiously waiting for, and was offered not only a new kidney but also a new pancreas.  Kirk became the 6th person in Oklahoma to receive a kidney/pancreas transplant.  This wonderful gift from God allowed him to live a normal, diabetes-free life for the past 27 years. Over the years, his doctors called him the “Miracle Boy” because he successfully defied all odds.

Several years later in 2007, Kirk re-connected with his high school classmate Janice Johnson Tabor.  They married on March 6th, 2008 and have resided in the Yukon/Mustang area for the past 17 years.

Prior to their marriage, Kirk lived as a bachelor in a small lakefront cabin at Lake Hiwassee where he served several years as Lake Patrolman.  He spent many a day, fishing, duck hunting, and boating. Kirk had many interests which included his love for history, a big variety of music, western tv shows and movies, football games and guns.  He was a huge OU and Kansas City Chief fan and was a member of the Edmond Armchair Fantasy Football League. 

 Kirk has loved animals his entire life.  He had many hunting dogs and many cats.  During his childhood he had a pony named Danny and even a pet pig named Arnold.  He liked feeding the wildlife behind his house in Yukon, which included racoons, possums, squirrels, an occasional coyote and recently turkeys.

Kirk loved the ocean, especially the visits with his family to Rockport/Port Aransas area where he fished in the gulf with his dad.  He also had many fond memories of his visits to his brother-in-law, Max’s, family farm in southwestern Oklahoma.  There, he loved roaming the fields, observing the wildlife, and of course fishing and hunting.  He spent many good times on the Moses farm where he acquired a big taste for Lebanese food prepared by Max’s mother Annie. 

Kirk was preceded in death by his parents, Richard (Dick) and Nancy Kemper.  His sister Sandra Merrick and her husband Bill. Dorothy Bridges Kemper (his father’s wife, after Nancy’s death). Survivors are his wife Janice Johnson Kemper, daughter Valerie Tabor Leeper and four grandchildren.  Brother Clyde Kemper of Edmond. Sister Karen Moses and her husband Max of Hobart. Nephews Anthony Merrick, Michael Moses, and Travis Kemper.  Niece Ashlee Kemper and great nieces Nancy Moses, Katy Moses, Chelsea Merrick and Alicia Merrick.

Kirk Kemper was a wonderful guy who never complained and had a huge love for life.   He had a bigger than life personality and never met a stranger.  He loved to be silly and make people laugh and oh how he loved to talk!  He loved and thanked God every day for giving him a longer than ever expected life.  If you were his friend, you were his friend for life. We will miss you so much, Kirk Kemper.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation in honor of Kirk to the American Diabetes Association by clicking here.

Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel.

4 thoughts on “Kirk Kemper”

  1. Brian Bailey

    Kirk will be missed greatly. He could always make you smile. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

  2. Elizabeth Bailey Kastl

    Remembering the 4th of July fun times at his lake home. Kirk was always welcoming. May he rest in peace.

  3. John W. Martin

    Yep! We’ve Been Friends For Over 50 Years!! We Worked Together And Hunted Ducks In The Old Days! Facebook Kept Us In Touch Until The Very End! The Famous Secret Great Blue Heron Who Accidentally Fell To Our Young Guns On An Extremely Foggy December At Lake Hiwassee…Did It Really Happen? No! I’m Not Telling, Kirk! Surely The Statute Of Limitations Has Run Out. It Was Nearly Dark And It Wasn’t A Lone Goose Like We Thought! I’m Going To Miss You, Kirk!!!

    Sincerely, John Boy

  4. Kirk was hardly a household name on the links. This stark reality came to bare one summers day at the Augusta course in Guthrie.
    Four of us had teed off, myself, sister Chris, Clyde and his dad, Dick. Last up was Kirk. He first places a water ball on to the tee. Then I beheld a peculiar sight.
    Kirk reaches in to his golf bag and pulls out a putter. Now, the guys always been known as a prankster so I’m thinking he can’t be serious.
    Sure enough he nonchalantly takes a few leisurely warmup swings, then knocks the ball straight down the fairway— to everyone’s amazement. Remarkably he uses the putter for all 18 holes!
    Afterwards, having processed what I’d just witnessed, I figured this baffoonery had to set some sort of Guinesses book of Okie redneck golfing records.
    We’ll done Kirk! We’re all going to miss you and your legacy of endearing antics.

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