Keith Kimple, 91, of rural Lyons, Kansas, passed away June 23, 2021 at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.
He was born August 26, 1929 in Lyons, the son of Adolph D. and Lena Gray Kimple. Keith grew up the youngest of five children and his mother died when he was 11, just as World War II was beginning. As he helped his brother and father on the farm, he had a special enthusiasm for working with horses and continued that interest the rest of his life. Following his graduation from Lyons High School in 1947, he attended Sterling College for one year. He then transferred to Kansas State University where he spent three years and majored in Animal Husbandry. He particularly enjoyed his friendships made through Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity during this time. There he met Marilyn Jones of Penalosa, Kansas and they were married on March 18, 1951.
Shortly into their married life, instead of completing a final college semester, he was drafted into the United States Marine Corps where he served during the Korean Conflict, attaining the rank of Corporal. After his discharge, they returned to Kansas and became part of a new community, farming in the nearby Saxman area where they have resided for 67 years. During the 1950’s, there were opportunities for socializing with other young veterans participating in the G.I. Bill’s “On-Farm Training Program” and he looked back on those times fondly. As his family grew up, he was actively involved with Saxman Presbyterian Church, rural school activities and 4-H leadership. As a farmer-rancher, he was particularly proud of being one of the early breeders of Charolais cattle in the state, and also an early advocate of cross-breeding in Kansas. After their children left home, Keith and Marilyn continued for many years leading and participating in small groups such as Memorize the Word, mentoring at the Hutchinson Reformatory and he served as an elder during the early years of Faith Bible Church in Lyons. He wanted it known that he had rededicated his life to Christ in 1972 and that his spiritual life had become more meaningful to him from that time on. Keith greatly enjoyed hunting and especially fishing throughout his life, passing that interest on to his children and grandchildren, especially savoring the occasional trips to Minnesota or Canada. He had a lifetime creative drive, learning to craft leather while in the Marines and was still working every day in his leather-working cabin and usually in his woodshop through the month of his death. He greatly enjoyed the relationships he had with his immediate family as well as with his nieces, nephews and neighbors.
He is survived by Marilyn, his wife of 70 years; his son Kris Kimple and wife Melinda of Beloit, Kansas; two daughters, Kandace Jones and husband Ashley of Wichita, Kansas and Bonnie Kimple of Lyons; six grandchildren, Jessica Hodges and husband Jacob of Iowa City, Iowa and their children, Ezra, Caroline and Elliot, Daniel Kimple and wife Veronica of Quincy, Illinois and their children, Hazel and Harrison, Travis Kimple and wife Anh of Garden City, Kansas, Lena Lohrenz and husband Anthony of Wichita, Kansas and their children Willow, Declan and Rowan, Claudia Hills and husband David of Ewa Beach, Hawaii and their daughter, Alana, and Gracia Jones of Wichita, Kansas. Keith was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother Florence Jones Kimple; three brother, Stanley, A.J. and infant brother Chester Kimple; two sisters, Lois Janssen and Francis Tobias.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, July 10, 2021 at Faith Bible Church, Lyons with pastor Phil Green officiating. Burial will be at 3:00 P.M., July 10, 2021 at the Lerado Cemetery, rural Langdon, Kansas with military honors by the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Friday, July 9, 2021 at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons. Memorials may be made to Faith Bible Church or to Star of Hope in Ellinwood, Kansas (Haiti) in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.