James Perry Kimball

LEXINGTON – James Perry Kimball, 78, of Lexington, entered the Church Triumphant on Ash Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Born in Norfolk, Virginia on May 29, 1938, he was the son and only child of the late James Rackley Kimball and Dorothy Perry Kimball. Last year he celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with the love of his life, Sheri Rene Snyder Kimball. A lifelong Gamecock fan, Perry was a Gamecock Club Lifetime Donor with a particular passion for USC football, baseball, and men’s and women’s basketball. Whether he was in the stands or in his lounge chair, he was a loyal Gamecock fan through and through from the 1950’s to the present.

After a move to Lake Murray in the early 1970’s, he embraced life as a Lexingtonian, dedicated to serving the community with his unmistakable charm and humor. Perry was a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, where he was an usher, taught Sunday school and Bible Study, and faithfully served on many committees. He is a Paul Harris Fellow with the Rotary Club of Lexington, where he served as past president and had perfect attendance for over 40 consecutive years. Perry remained active in the community by serving on the boards of the Lexington Gamecock Club, the Lexington Chamber of Commerce, Lexington County Republican Party, and the Country Club of Lexington. He shared his talents on the stage, as well as set design, with the Lexington County Arts Association.

Perry’s fondest memories of his childhood were playing on Burney Drive in the Shandon area of Columbia. He was a graduate of Dreher High School, Class of 1956, where he played varsity basketball and was a member of the 1956 Dreher Championship Team. After high school, he attended the University of South Carolina and joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. Following USC, he served his country in the Army and, thereafter, as a first lieutenant in the South Carolina National Guard for ten years.

Mr. Kimball worked in his father’s business at Home Heating and Air Conditioning in Columbia and then ventured out on his own to establish Kimball’s Commercial Mechanical Contracting in Lexington. As a self-employed businessman, he embodied an incredible work ethic which could be seen by many. He worked above and beyond what was expected of him as he served people in his chosen field.

He retired in 2002 intent on having endless tee times and spoiling their five grandchildren. He always had a friendly smile and happy lifestyle even though he had health challenges. The Kimball family is grateful for three physicians, Dr. Horace (Butch) Bledsoe, Dr. C.W. Hendricks, and Dr. Scott Petit, whose medical expertise granted him additional time to impart his faith and humor and to be a great example to others with physical challenges.

He is survived by his wife, Sheri Snyder Kimball; three daughters, Teri Lee Kimball Callen of Columbia, Heather Kimball Ramsey (Jason) of Davidson, NC, Lexanne Kimball Graves (Scott) of Blythewood; five grandchildren, Jacob Kimball Ramsey, Ava Perry Callen, Jordan Kennedy Ramsey, Anna Leigh Graves, and Wesley Scott Graves, Jr., and an aunt, uncle, and many cousins and nieces. He was predeceased by a grandchild, Doren Rackley Ramsey.

The Celebration of Life worship service will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1430 North Lake Drive, Lexington, SC, 29072, with the Rev. Glenn Boland officiating. Visitation will be held prior to worship from 9:30-11:00 a.m. in Pilgrim Lutheran Church’s Sanctuary. A brief burial service will follow worship at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209. Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel is caring for the Kimball family and in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1430 North Lake Drive, Lexington, SC, 29072; Rotary Club of Lexington’s Scholarships, Post Office Box 106, Lexington, SC 29071 or other charitable organizations benefitting humanity.