George Kempton

George Leonard Kempton, 86, of Green Bay Loop in Peacham, VT, passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, at his home.

George was born in his grandparents’ house at 9 High Street in Springfield, VT, on May 31, 1931, to Leonard Kempton of Springfield, VT and Annie (Shears) Kempton of London, England.  He attended the Newton School in Windham, VT and graduated 3rd in his class from the University of Connecticut Agriculture School in the spring of 1952. George served in the Army in Austria and Germany during the Korean War. At a Thanksgiving gathering at the Newton School in 1955, George met and fell in love with Patricia Gulick of Summit, New Jersey. They married on March 3, 1956 and shared 56 years together until her passing in 2012.

Although George had opportunities to work at the University of Connecticut, his dream was to own his very own dairy farm. In 1961, George and Patty bought the James Craig farm in Peacham Village, where they raised their five children, and opened up their home to many members of the community throughout the years. In 1975, George purchased the Richard Miller farm, now known as Windy Bay Farm.

George had a quick wit and a terrific sense of humor.  He found joy in the company of others and truly celebrated each day of his life. George was a passionate bird hunter, and enjoyed hunting partridge and woodcock with his springer spaniels, and taking his sons and grandsons on annual trips to Iowa and then South Dakota for years to hunt pheasant. George was an avid skier and was the coach of the Peacham Academy ski team for several years. He was instrumental in keeping the Peacham Ski Tow operating every weekend. George took his five children & friends to hike and ski Tuckerman’s Ravine. George was an avid outdoorsman in his later years and walked his bird dogs for hours each day.  He was also a voracious reader, reading The New Yorker weekly to keep up with the current news, as well as many books, dairy newsletters, and magazines.

George served as a Selectman and School Board Member for the Town of Peacham. He also served a Deacon and on the Business Committee at the Peacham Congregational Church. George served as a Director on the Agrimark board and was involved in the Vermont Land Trust conserving many acres of farmland in Peacham.

He is survived by his five children, Samuel and his wife Julie of Peacham, Jennifer Harris of Peacham, David Kempton of St. Johnsbury, Annie and husband Michael Guyer of Lyndonville, and Matthew and wife Dawn Kempton of Peacham. Thirteen grandchildren, Adrian (Candice) Guyer of Lyndonville, Tiffany (Mike) Carr of Danville, Christopher (Heather) Harris of Anchorage, Alaska, Nicholas Guyer of Burke, Melissa Kempton of Randolph, William Kempton of Peacham, Julian (Sabrina) Kempton of Burlington, Amos (Jessica) Kempton of Worcester, Vermont, Jacqueline (Jay) Iannoni of Dorchester, Massachusetts , Miko (Cheyne) McCormick of Manchester, Connecticut, Dylan (Brittany) Kempton of Peacham, Hannah Harris of Brooklyn, New York, Joshua Guyer of  Lyndonville. Seven great-grandchildren; Bensen Carr, Chloe Kempton, Kai Harris, Piper Kempton, Ridley Harris, Emerson Guyer, and Joule Kempton.

George was predeceased by his wife: Patricia Kempton; his half-sisters Corinne Atkinson and Shirley Steadman, his father Leonard and mother Annie.

A Memorial Service officiated by Rev. Dr. Robert A. Potter, will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2 pm at the Peacham Church followed by a graveside internment in the Peacham Cemetery. There will be a celebration of life party at Windy Bay Farm following the services.

Memorial donations can be made to the Peacham Congregational Church, 56 Church Street, Peacham, Vt. or the Peacham Library, P.O. Box 253, Peacham, VT 05862.

Sayles Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.