BROWNSBURG, Ind. — Phillip Jerald Kimble, who had a long career in the HVAC industry, died Sept. 17 after a sudden illness. He was 78.
He was born May 28, 1945, to Robert W. and Francis A. (Sharpe) Kimble of Stryker, Ohio. Growing up in Stryker and later in Montpelier, Ohio, Phil developed a passion for art and music that he would enjoy for the rest of his life.
In high school, Phil participated in art clubs and school projects, and demonstrated entrepreneurial skill by creating personalized, airbrushed T-shirts for friends and family. He sang and played guitar and keyboards in a garage-rock band, The Phantoms, performing at local schools and clubs.
After graduating from Montpelier High School in 1963, Phil expanded his art and music talents by attending the American Academy of Art in Chicago.
In 1965, he married Nancy Ann Jackson of Bryan, Ohio. A job in advertising took them to Sanford, N.C., where they lived for 13 years and raised four children.
After some time in the textile industry, Kimble found his calling in the HVAC industry. Early in his career, he worked for both Skuttle and Trion. He then went to work for Enerstat, a manufacturer of thermostats and zone-control products. During this time, Kimble was the national sales manager, and he remained with Enerstat through its sale to what eventually became Robertshaw.
Kimble later worked at California Economizer and Johnstone Supply. He finished his career by spending 18 years at Jackson Systems & Supply, a wholesaler in Indianapolis, where he was product development manager and an integral part of the company’s success, a press release from the company said.
In 2012, he married Beth Elaine Andrews of Indianapolis, and the two lived in Brownsburg, Indiana.
Kimble loved being outdoors, whether hunting and fishing with his sons or grilling and barbecuing for neighbors and friends. He enjoyed deer-hunting trips in southern Ohio, fishing in Louisiana, and surf fishing in North Carolina. In recent years, Kimble enjoyed shooting sports with the Danville Conservation Club and served as a range safety officer. His annual Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza was legendary in his neighborhood.
Kimble will be best remembered for his sense of humor and his love of a tall tale, according to an online obituary. He loved being in the spotlight, and even during his last days, while hospitalized, relished being the center of attention among family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; by stepmother Frances Kimble; and by two brothers, Ronald Wesley Kimble and Robert John Kimble.
In addition to his wife, Kimble is survived by three sons, Scott (Lisa) Kimble of Sanford, North Carolina, Brian (Jennifer) Kimble of Pickerington, Ohio, and Casey Kimble of St. Augustine, Florida; a daughter, Stacey (Jeff Stupp) Lowe of Westfield, Indiana; a stepson, Derek Andrews of Indianapolis; seven grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; a brother, Thomas (Ann) Kimble; four sisters, Carole Barksdale, Barbara Finck, Patricia Kimble, and Sheila (James) Villaneuva; two step-brothers, William (Dee) Connolly and Stephen Connolly; a step-sister, Sukey Rosenbaum; a sister-in-law, Evelyn Kimble; and many nieces and nephews.
The family is planning to hold a memorial at a later date.
