Raymond Eugene Kimball

Raymond Eugene Kimball was born August 25, 1940 in Des Moines, Iowa and passed away due to respiratory failure on August 4, 2017 in Plano, TX.

He leaves in God’s care a blended family….Rose, his loving wife of 42 years; sons Raymond Oakley (Brenda) and Kenneth Lyle; daughters Tonya Williams and Lisa McCalister (William); a brother Robert; grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, a host of other relatives and many, many, friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother Lois, his father Robert and his sister Shirley Ritchie.

Born and raised in Iowa, Raymond spent the early part of his life in the midwest. He served in the military and was honorably discharged from the United States Army. He relocated to Texas in 1985.

Raymond was proud of a blue collar career in the fields of manufacturing, construction and trucking. Working long, hard hours were customary, done without complaint to provide for his family. A jack-of-all-trades, he had just enough plumbing, electrical and mechanical skills to assist family and friends with a variety of projects…time and knowledge that he gave freely and willingly.

A sometimes gruff exterior belied a warmth and caring interior. He was ‘man’s man’ but one who never failed to show his softer side by always sending signature yellow roses to his wife to commemorate birthday and  anniversaries or by spending days shopping for the perfect gift. The years spent as a loving caregiver to his brother Robert is also a testament of his devotion to family.

Throughout his life Raymond displayed an eclectic range of hobbies and interests including boxing, motorcycles, swimming, collecting watches, cooking and travel.  He was always ready to return to familiar places or explore new destinations.

An avid car enthusiast, Raymond owned over 60 cars during his life.  They weren’t purchased or restored to sit in the garage. He enjoyed driving them and when a new or old car caught his eye, he would pursue the dream and enjoy the experience.

Raymond was a storyteller of a life rich with adventure from childhood into adolescence, early time spent in the military, through decades of adulthood and, in truth, right up until his death. It is impossible for anyone that met him not to have a funny story of his to repeat or a new one about time spent with him. No doubt his nieces and nephews still remember the ghost stories he would tell in the dark of night. With the exception of snakes, he lived a fearless life.

Words cannot express how much he will be missed.

Funeral services will be held in the chapel at Hamilton Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 11a.m. Interment will be at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa.