John S. Kimble

Born on December 14, 1909, on a farm near Paris, Illinois, John Kimble attended a one room school during his elementary grades and rode a horse and buggy to town for high school. He left home in 1926 to study Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois and graduated in 1931. After graduation, John joined Tennessee Eastman Company, located in Kingsport, Tennessee, where he was active in the research, development, and production of Tenite, the company?s first cellulose acetate plastic product. He worked at Tennessee Eastman for 20 years, during which time he became the Assistant Superintendent of the Plastics Division. In 1934, John married Freda Katherine Hurt of Kingsport, who preceded him in death in July of 2002, after a loving sixty-seven year marriage. Two daughters, Kay and Jeanette, were born to the union. In 1951, Mr. Kimble was transferred to Texas Eastman Company in Longview, Texas, where he held the positions of Assistant Superintendent of Manufacturing, Superintendent of Manufacturing, and Superintendent of the Plastics Division. One of the highlights of his career with Texas Eastman was sailing to England in 1953 on the Queen Elizabeth for the purpose of learning the process for manufacturing polyethylene and polypropylene. After 23 years with Texas Eastman and a total of 43 years with Eastman Kodak companies, he retired in 1975. Always active in church, he served two terms as Chairman of the Official Board of the Broad Street Methodist Church in Kingsport. He continued serve his church at First Methodist Church of Longview, as a member of the Official Board and the Finance Committee. After his retirement, from Eastman, he shared his long-time love of flowers and gardening, serving on the Lawn Committee and working in the flower beds around the church. Mr. Kimble?s interest in beautification also led him to serve as Chairman of the City of Longview Parks and Leisure Services Advisory Board, President of the Men?s Garden Club and Chairman of its Rose Garden Committee. He was particularly proud of the Rose Garden in the Magrill Plaza, with its many varieties of roses and white gazebo, which transformed a vacant city lot into a place of beauty for all to enjoy. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, July 12, 2004 at First United Methodist Church with Reverend David Lindwall and Reverend Bill Cunningham officiating under the direction of Rader Funeral Home, 1617 Judson Rd. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, Sunday afternoon from 3-5 PM. He was also preceded in death by his parents Louise and John Kimble, as well as his brother Walter Kimble, all of Paris, Illinois. Survivors are daughters Jeanette West of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Kay Toole and husband Ray Toole of Whitehouse, Texas; grandchildren, Tracey Miller and husband Mark Miller of Plano, Texas; John Toole of Austin, Texas; Alyson West of Melbourne, Australia; Rebecca Crews and husband Darrell Crews of Raleigh North Carolina; and great grand daughter, Haleigh Crews of Raleigh, North Carolina. The family would like to thank the At Home Health Care staff and sitters, the staff and residents of Garden Estates; the doctors and nurses of Mother Frances Hospital; and the nurses and staff of Reunion Plaza for their caring help and support. Memorials may be made to the First Methodist Church Longview.

John S. Kimble

December 14, 1909 - July 6, 2004