James Francis Kemp

Jim was born on January 16th, 1939, to Francis Edward Kemp and Catherine Cecelia (Dowd) Kemp, and raised in Washington, DC. He graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School and Georgetown University. While attending Georgetown University, Jim married the love of his life, Lois Marie Hoyle on September 10, 1960. Upon graduating from Georgetown University, Jim was commissioned in the United States Air Force. His military career took the couple to California and Hawaii, before returning to the Washington, DC area in 1967, where they made their home in North Springfield, Virginia and raised their seven children.

After leaving active duty in the United States Air Force, Jim entered the private sector and was instrumental in building several successful businesses in the Washington, DC Metro area. Jim spent 27 years of his career with Aireco Supply Incorporated, retiring as President/CEO. His business acumen and foresight helped build Aireco into one of the largest air conditioning and refrigeration wholesale supply companies in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Jim was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing with his children and grandchildren. He was an aviation enthusiast and enjoyed his extensive collection of model trains. Jim was a world traveler, both for business and pleasure, traveling often with Lois. He had many stories to share from his adventures around the world.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Lois, his parents Francis and Catherine, his brothers Patrick, Francis, Joseph and William and his sisters Margaret and Catherine. He is survived by his children John (Donna), Christopher (Robert), Timothy (Emily), Daniel, Kathleen, Matthew (Meredith), Mary (Alex); his grandchildren James Patrick, Ian Christopher, Haley Marie, Elizabeth Leigh, Lily Marie, John Kemp (Jack), Madeline Turner, Isabel Rose, Leo Hoyle and Augustus James. Jim is also survived by his brother-in-law William Hoyle (Joyce), his sister-in-law Gail Kemp, along with many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

A visitation will be held October 5th, 2025 at Demaine Funeral Home-Fairfax in Fairfax, Virginia from 3:00pm-5:00pm. A funeral service and interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Jim to So Others Might Eat- SOME.org.