Donald Kimbel (2-16-12)

GAINESVILLE - Donald Edward Kimbel, 70, passed away Thursday, February 16, 2012 at home surrounded by his family.

He was the son of the late Carl Herbert and Mildred Krebs Kimbel of Louisville, Ky. on May 23, 1941. His brothers, Carl "Herb" Herbert Kimbel, Jr. and Jerry Francis Kimbel have also preceded him in death.
He moved to Gainesville in 1988 to help open Gainesville Bank and Trust where he was a Senior Vice President. From there he became an entrepreneur and opened his own business before he retired in 2008. He attended Blackshear Place Baptist Church and was active for 22 years. He was a member of Jerry Smith's Sunday School Class where he had many friends. He served in the United States Navy for four years and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fla., and attended First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, where he met his future wife. After serving in the Navy, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Florida.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Frances M. Kimbel, Gainesville; three children, Lee Ann Barronton (husband Ken Barronton), Cumming, Donald Edward Kimbel, Jr., Dawsonville, and Mark Alan Kimbel, Smyrna; and five grandchildren, Jared, Julia, Joanna, Joni, and Jesse Barronton, all of Cumming.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, February 18, at Blackshear Place Baptist Church with interment following at Memorial Park South Cemetery, with military honors. The Rev. Dave Channell will officiate. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, February 17, at Memorial Park South Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Blackshear Place youth and children's ministries to help promote the gospel of Jesus Christ through our children.

Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch, is in charge of arrangements.