Current Services

David Warren Kemp
05-09-2026

David Warren Kemp was born May 12, 1952, in Sioux Falls to Peggy Aylward and Warren Kemp. His grandparents were Charlotte Beck and Colonel Kemp, Kathryn Devitt and Philip Aylward.

David graduated from O’Gorman High School, St. John’s University (B.A.), and The University of South Dakota (M.A. History). He was active in many events and in the founding of several organizations, including the George B. German Music Archives, the Friends of Old Time Music, Swayed Pines Folkfest, the Irish Club, Northern League baseball, and South Dakota high school baseball. He was the archivist for the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls, the Pettigrew and Old Court House Museums, the Argus Leader paper, and the Negro Leagues baseball museum. He was on the executive committee of the Society for American Baseball Research.

He was an historian with interests in sports history, the Irish experience in the USA, Lakota history, and the political history of the Great Plains, especially farming and labor. He wrote and presented at regional history conferences. He had a publishing company, Mariah Press, that featured local South Dakota themes. He also did legal research for East River Legal Services.

For those who were in the habit of calling him up to ask if he knew anything about something, he will be especially missed.

David is survived by his brothers: Dr. James Kemp (Debra); nephews: Patrick, Philip, and Dr. Robert Kemp (Linda Dangelo), Dante, Colin, and Sam Dangelo-Kemp; and his uncle: Tom Kemp (Henderson, NV).

Special thanks to his South Dakota cousins who were so kind to him as his health failed him. The cousins are the sons and daughters of his aunt Julie Ollerich, his uncle Philip Aylward, and his aunt Dorothy Johnson.

Give to a cultural or civic organization with him in mind.

Visitation will be Monday, May 18, 5:00 PM -8:00 PM at Barnett-Lewis Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, May 19, 10:30 AM at St. Mary Church.