ONE of Barnsley’s longest-serving solicitors has died, with his family saying he will be missed by ‘a lot of people’.
Douglas Kemp, founder of Mills, Kemp and Brown, now MKB Solicitors, was widely regarded as the authority on licensing law in the borough for decades.
He practised for more than 50 years and was once president of the Barnsley Law Society, becoming a fixture in the courts and well known in Barnsley as a whole.
“When we were in hospital with him one of the porters came up,” said daughter Victoria, 50. “And said my dad had represented him years ago when he was a bit of a bad one.
“A lot of people knew him and he meant a lot to many of them.”
Douglas died of a brain tumour aged 85 in Barnsley Hospital after being diagnosed in October, and his family have praised palliative care staff at the hospital.
Barbara, Douglas’ wife of 55 years, said: “Asking around, they are one of the best in the area.
“Everything we needed was done without asking, whether it was equipment, carers or home adaptations, it was absolutely exceptional. They made him very comfortable.
“Barnsley should be proud of what they have there.”
Barbara said Douglas was ‘always doing something’ once he had retired, and even after his diagnosis, she said he was still playing tennis weeks into his illness.
“He loved his grandchildren,” Barbara added. “He taught them to play tennis, cards and encouraged them to ride their bikes. They have been his life.”
Douglas leaves his wife Barbara, daughters Victoria and Sarah, four grandsons and one granddaughter.
The funeral will take place on Thursday January 3 at Barnsley Crematorium, with arrangements by Co-operative Funeralcare.
