Obituary of Donald Kimble

Donald L. Kimble, 86, of Limon, Colorado, passed away on June 9, 2016 in Hugo at the Lincoln Community Care Center. Don was born on January 26, 1930, in Colorado Springs, Colorado to Lloyd A. and Treva B. (McKim) Kimble one of four children born to this union. He grew up in the Limon area attending and graduating from Limon High School in 1948. After graduation from high school, Don attended the University of Colorado, majoring in music education. Don enlisted in the United States Army from 1952-1954. He was very patriotic and loved his country. Don served as a staff sergeant at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, training troops headed to Korea. His drilling techniques would work well for him when he later started his teaching vocation in Limon. Don met and then married his sweetheart, Peggy June Cummins, on June 10, 1951. Four children were born to the marriage. Upon being honorably discharged from the Army, Don began his teaching career in Flagler, Colorado. The family then moved to Limon, Colorado, in 1957 where he taught both band and choir music from fourth grade through twelfth grade. Don and Peggy remained a part of the community for over sixty years. Don received his Master’s Degree in music instrumental through attending summer school at Colorado University over many years. His dedication to the Limon Schools and the resulting list of accomplishments is difficult to list in one obituary. Upon starting his teaching career in Limon, Don created the Limon Show Choir which gained statewide fame due to its performances at numerous conventions, travel performances, and even on television. Many former students and town residents remember the Limon Musicale performances which were an annual occurrence up to the time of Don’s retirement. In 2003, Don was inducted into the Colorado Music Educators Hall of Fame. His high school bands achieved twenty seven consecutive I (superior) ratings at the Colorado Large Groups contest. Don is also remembered for the numerous Community Choir performances which he directed and even some Community Band concerts. Don faithfully directed church choirs from 1956 until he was no longer able to do so. Outside of Limon School, Don was a trustee on the Limon Town Board in 1990 and helped deal with the aftermaths of the tornado of that year. In later years Don and Peggy also volunteered to work for the Heritage Museum. Don was a very gifted man and he served his community with his God given talents. Don was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Carol K. Turner. Don is survived by his wife of almost sixty five years, Peggy Kimble of Limon, Colorado, and their children; Stan (Diane) Kimble of Limon, Colorado, Scott (Robin) Kimble of Limon, Colorado, Tracy Kimble of Burlington, Colorado. and Casey (Cynthia) Kimble of Denver, Colorado. He is also survived by his brother Darrel (Marcia) Kimble of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and sister, Dolores Gill of Limon, Colorado. Don also enjoyed and is survived by his grandchildren; Tim Kimble, Tyler Kimble, Kaitlyn Bennett, Sayla Kimble, Abigail Mackenzie Yilmaz, and Thomas Harrison.