Reverend Elmer L. “Kim” Kimmell
The Reverend Elmer L.“Kim” Kimmell, passed from this life on December 12, 2007, he was 93. Affectionately known all of his life by family and friends as “Kim,” he passed with his beloved wife Gail (Chase) Kimmell near his side.
Kim was born on F Street in Washington D.C. on February 7, 1914. He attended District elementary and high schools and served notably as a bat boy for the then Washington Senators as a teen, being a particular favorite of All Star Joe Cronin. When not playing baseball near the Washington Monument, he and his brothers were youthfully known to pal around with Capital Hill Police, once giving them a run for their money racing around the Capital grounds on a motorcycle, complete with side car. Kim spoke often of his youth and was particularly proud of his father Harry who was an early staff employee of the FBI working directly with Director J. Edgar Hoover and his mother Grace who was the head custodian of the Library of Congress. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, Frank and Charlie.
Kim was admitted to Dickinson College in Pennsylvania in 1932 graduating with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in 1936. He also attended Boston University, obtaining both a second Bachelor’s degree in Sacred Theology and a Master’s Degree in Theology in 1939. His quest for a Doctoral Degree, begun while serving a Methodist Church in Bourne, Massachusetts, was interrupted by church reassignments and the eventual responsibility of rebuilding the Bell’s Methodist Church in Camp Springs, Maryland. Although he completed all course work and passed all of his doctoral exams, his commitment to his congregation came before his dissertation. He often joked that his Doctoral Degree was in ‘bricks and mortar.’
Over the course of his career as a Methodist Minister he served congregations in Arbutus, Maryland (1939-1943), Bourne, Massachusetts (1946-1949), Bell’s Church (1949-1955) Camp Springs, Maryland Wilson Memorial Church (1955-1966) in Baltimore, Maryland near Johns Hopkins University and lastly at Chevy Chase United Methodist Church in Chevy Chase, Maryland (1966-1980). One of his more notable parishioners at Chevy Chase was then Vice President Hubert Humprhey.
Kim served his country from 1943-1946 in live action as a Navy Chaplin in the Pacific Theater and continued with the Naval Reserve until 1980 retiring with the rank of Commander.
Kim and Gail devoted themselves to raising three children, Glenn Alden Kimmell (Lauren) of Fairfax, Virginia, Bradford Lee Kimmell (Dian) of Brinklow, Maryland and Sharon Gail Michalik (James) of Milan, New Hampshire.
Married over 66 years, Kim and Gail enjoyed an active lifetime together; prior to and after their retirement, always side by side. Their retirement included much entertaining and boating at their special ‘Cottage’ at Bay View, South Dartmouth, along with golfing and many sunny winter breaks in Florida.
Kim presided over the marriages of all three of their children and he and Gail cherished many warm and happy memories with their children, grandchildren, Kimberly Gail, Jonathan and Jeremy and members of a large and loving family, including The Elliot & Barbara Whitney Family, The Fred & Ann Chase Family, The Curt & Heidi Chase Family, other members of Gail’s family including The family of Helen Potthoff, predeceased. Kim remained in good humor despite his last illness. He continued to the end, touching the lives of all in his presence with the same fellowship, warmth and engaging personality with which he had touched many thousands of lives before.
Visiting hours are scheduled at the Dartmouth Funeral Home (Waring-Sullivan) at 230 Russells Mills Road in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts for Sunday, December 17, 2007 from 3pm to 6pm. A Memorial Service and Internment at St. Aiden’s Chapel on Smithneck Road will be scheduled in the near future. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations to charity be made in Kim’s honor. Arrangements by the Bryant Funeral Home in Berlin, NH.