Robert "Bob" Gene Kimball

Robert “Bob” Gene Kimball passed away peacefully in his sleep the morning of February 24, 2021. Bob was a loving husband and the bestest daddy and poppa ever. He was a devoted Christian man who loved the game of golf and always had a corny “dad” joke for anyone who would listen.

Bob graduated from Boyden High School in 1954, where he was a popular cheerleader. His graduating class from Boyden was very special to him and he looked forward to and enjoyed his class reunions at The Campbell’s yearly.

In 1958 he graduated from Catawba College with a degree in Business Administration. He spent his career of over 40 years as an Account Manager for Fieldcrest Cannon in Kannapolis. After college, he met his wife Gail, at a Halloween dance at the nurses dorm of RRMC; they fell in love and married in 1961.

Bob also served his country as a member of the 991st Transportation Unit of the Army Reserves. In 1961, his unit was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis. He and Gail had an impromptu wedding before he left for duty at Fort Polk in Louisiana.

Bob was a lifelong member of Haven Lutheran Church. He was an usher for many years, following in his father’s footsteps.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Melvin and Novella Kimball; grandson Zachary Emmanuel Turner (2019); and great grandson, Leo Nash Turner (2018).

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 ½ years, Gail; daughters Cindi (Dave) Hanrahan of Cornelius, NC; Karen (Tim) Hardy of Dobson, NC; and Deborah (Brian) Howell of Granite Quarry, NC; grandchildren Shane Turner (Megan Sailors); Ashton Hassan, Amelia and Owen Hardy, Andrew and Jordan Daniels, and Grace Howell; great grandchildren Veda Jane Turner, Farah and Lexi Hassan, and Penelope Grace Howell. Special cousins, Sylvia and Buddy Barger and Gwen and Patsy Harrison and special sister-in-law Pattie Wall. Although Bob was an only child, he was fortunate to have brothers-in-law, PJ Key, Glenn Key and Bob Key. They became close golfing buddies and looked forward to the yearly Key-Kimball Open which was a family golf tournament with 25-30 participants. The tournament began at Corbin Hills Golf Club where Bob was a long time member and then moved to Crescent Golf Course where Bob worked as a ranger after his retirement.

A private committal service with military honors conducted by the Lyerly Volunteer Joint Services Honor Guard will be held. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at Haven Lutheran Church, 207 W. Harrison St., Salisbury, NC 28144, with the Rev. Ed Harper officiating.

Memorials may be made to Haven Lutheran Church.

Special thanks to the staff of the Telementry unit at RRMC and to Trinity Oaks for the compassionate care given to Bob over the past month.

Lyerly Funeral Home is serving the Kimball family. Online condolences may be made at www.lyerlyfuneralhome.com.

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