Thomas R. “Tom” Kimball, 79, of Irwin County, died Saturday, July 11, 2015 at Palemon Gaskins Memorial Nursing Home in Ocilla.
Memorial services will be held 2 PM, Wednesday, July 15, 2015, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Fitzgerald with the Rev. Dr. Buddy Cooper and the Rev. Mike Benson officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until service time in the chapel of Paulk Funeral Home.
Mr. Kimball was born April 1, 1936, in Fitzgerald, Georgia, to the late James Roscoe & Nell Dorminy Kimball. A 1954 graduate of Fitzgerald High School, Mr. Kimball earned a Bachelors degree in Business from Emory University. He was a retired contractor with Ruby Tuesday having traveled and supervised construction for the restaurant franchise. He loved to grow roses, fishing, and woodworking. Mr. Kimball was an avid reader of history. He was an animal lover and along with his wife, owned Atlantis Kennels, a breeder of Dobermans and Whippets. One of their prized animals has competed at Westminster. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Melanie Kimball of Irwin County; his children and their spouses: Tina Cota of San Diego, California, Dana & Ron Cates of Ft. Worth, Texas, Jason & Katy Kimball of Eugene, Oregon, Donica & Bobby Spencer of Leesburg, and Brittany & Andy Pughsley of Fitzgerald; his grandchildren: Kyle & Ally Kimball, John Thomas Kimball, Kelly Cota, Delaney McLachlan, Courtney McLachlan, Asa Kimball, Elliott Kimball, Steven Pughsley, Bryan Pughsley, and Savanna Pughsley; a brother, Harold & Nancy Kimball of Fitzgerald; and a sister, Katy Ruth Branch of Fitzgerald. Several nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Thomas Riley Kimball, Jr.; two brothers, James Roscoe Kimball, Jr., and Howard Kimball; and two sisters, Margaret Bruce and Dorothy Nell Dix.
Although roses were his favorite flower, the family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Humane Society, 106 Lions Park Road, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.