Arthur L. "Art" Kemp

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Arthur (Art) Kemp at 5:15am, August 08, 2025, 101 years and six months young.

Art was born February 9, 1924, second son of Alice and Paul Kemp in Port Jefferson, Ohio, He attended grade school in Port Jefferson and Junior High and Senior High School in Sidney, Ohio. After graduation, he worked as a machinist in Sidney for a short time before he was drafted into the US Army Air Corps.

Art served from February 18, 1943, to September 08, 1945. During training, someone suggested that if he wanted excitement, volunteer to be a tail gunner in a B17 Heavy Bomber. He did just that and excelled as an aerial marksman.

He was assigned to the 8th Air Force, 351st Bomb Group, 508th Bomb Squadron based at Polebrook, England.

His decorations included EAME Theater Ribbon with four (4) bronze stars, Air Medal with five (5) Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross earned on July 28th, 1944, when he shot down two (2) enemy aircraft and ensured the safe return of his crew to base at Polebrook. Art flew all 35 of his combat missions when he was 20 years old.

Art was a true member of America's Greatest Generation.

After being discharged, he worked for several different companies and retired as a Tool and Die Maker from Siemens in Bellefontaine, Ohio.

He had a love of flying and took Pilot's training on the GI Bill and eventually partnered with a friend owning their own airplane for many years. He was a mainstay at the Champaign Aviation Museum in Urbana, Ohio, where a B-17 Bomber is being built and served as a technical advisor and historian.

Art was preceded in death by his wife. Lillian Eileen (Carpenter), his parents, Alice and Paul Kemp; brothers, Ralph and wife Wilma Kemp (Port Jefferson); Donald and wife Jane Kemp (Sidney); Marvin Kemp; his sister, Martha and husband Archie Treen, Sidney; and many relatives and friends. Survivors who will treasure many memories include brothers, John (Lottie) Kemp, Cheyenne, WY; James (Geneva) Kemp, Lexington, KY; sister Carolyn (Tom) Moore, Laguna Woods, CA; and his nephews and nieces, Dave Kemp, Tom Kemp, Steve Kemp, Darlene Kemp, Patricia Wheatley, Robert Fridley, Linda Preece, Rob Moore, and Tommy Moore. Predeceased by niece Jody Kemp.

Last but not least, he will be forever remembered by his best longtime friends, Jeff and Dawn Duffy, and Janet Moore, all of Bellefontaine, Ohio.

Words cannot express the tremendous appreciation of the family members for the care, assistance, and overall support of Art by his best friends, Dawn and Jeff Duffy, throughout their long friendship and especially in Art's final days. Their care and support has been extraordinary. Thank you!

Pastor Bryan Meadows will officiate a funeral service at 11:00am on Saturday, August 16, 2025 in the Eichholtz & Daring Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 321 N. Main St., Bellefontaine, OH 43311. Visitation will be Friday, August 15, 2025, from 4 to 7pm at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glen Cemetery, Port Jefferson, with military honors provided by Shelby County Veterans Honor Guard and the US Army active-duty honor guard.

A meal will be offered following the ceremony at St Paul's United Church of Christ in Sidney, Ohio, 707 North Ohio Ave. (Parking behind the church)

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Art's memory to the Champaign Aviation Museum, 1652 N Main Street, Urbana, OH 43078 or to Universal Home Health and Hospice, 921 Rush Ave., Bellefontaine, OH, 43311.

EICHHOLTZ & DARING FUNERAL HOME, & CREMATION CENTER, BELLEFONTAINE, is honored to serve the Kemp family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.eichholtzdaring.com

FAMILY AUTHORED OBITUARY / TFD