Harold D. Kimball, 82, of Sandy Creek, passed away Monday October 18 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. He was born in Brookfield, Vermont to the late Herbert Dewey Kimball and Hilda Ash Kimball.
“Rube”, as he was known to family and friends, always had a smile on his face to go along with his “unique” sense of humor. This often left you wondering what he was up to. He was a caring individual and would do anything for anyone, often putting the needs of others ahead of his own.
He enjoyed spending time with his family and telling stories. He was an avid outdoorsman; in his younger years enjoying fishing, rabbit hunting and deer hunting. He continued to deer hunt and was usually quite successful. There was no place he would rather be than “up on the hill.” He was known to sit on watch from sunrise to sunset, outlasting all of us. In fact, his final days were spent putting the finishing touches on the plan for this season’s hunt.
He also had a love for baseball and softball. He was a huge Boston Red Sox fan. Actually, he had two favorite baseball teams- the Boston Red Sox and whoever the Yankees were playing that night! He played in several baseball and softball leagues over the years. Youth baseball was another passion of his. He spent nearly three decades coaching youth baseball in Sandy Creek, followed by over a decade of umpiring and managing the umpire staff. He coached at all levels – Farm League, Little League, Babe Ruth League and Senior League. He was the co founder of the Sandy Creek Farm League.
Scouting was another passion of his. He was a Webelos Den leader for pack 830 in Sandy Creek. He then went on to be Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 865 in Pulaski. One thing that was unique about the troop under his leadership was all of the winter camping. He liked it because there were no bugs and it didn’t interfere with baseball or hunting seasons.
Harold served in the United State Marine Corp from 1958 to 1962. After leaving the Corp, he returned to farming for a while. He then started in the construction industry where he spent 30 years as a union laborer. After that he had two family businesses with his wife, “Jude.” They co-owned the J&R Diner in Lacona and Ardnek, Inc. Ardnek was a commercial and residential construction company that performed retail build-outs throughout the East, as well as built residential homes in Central New York.
Besides his parents, Harold is predeceased by his loving wife of over fifty years Judith “Jude” Kimball, his brothers Wayne Kimball, Ross Kimball, Horace Kimball, and John Kimball. Also, predeceased by his sisters Betty Kimball Sanders, Martha Kimball Jerry, and Dorothy Kimball Sanders.
Surviving are his son Shaun Kimball and his wife Dawn of Baldwinsville, Granddaughter Kendra Kimball of Charlotte, NC; Grandson Jacob Kimball of Baldwinsville, his companion Mary Jane Cobb of Sandy Creek, many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held Monday October 25th from 4 to 7pm at Summerville Funeral Home in Sandy Creek. Graveside services will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery, Sandy Creek, 10 am Tuesday October 26th, with the Rev. Brian Snyder officiating.
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