Philip Rodney Kimball

PHILIP RODNEY KIMBALL (January 29, 1944 - December 15, 2012)

Philip Rodney Kimball, 68, was born January 29, 1944 in Long Beach, CA, the youngest child of Philip Bowen Kimball and Ave Maria Boyer. He departed this life at his home in Blaine, WA, on Saturday, December 15, 2012, after a brief fight against multiple brain tumors. He went to join his beloved wife, Carla (Marzicola) Kimball on the anniversary of her birth. They were married May 19, 1973 in California, and were selected as contestants on the TV game show, The Newlywed Game.

Philip graduated from Jordan High School in Long Beach in 1962. He was inducted into the U. S. Army in 1965, trained as a military policeman and military dog handler, and served an active-duty tour along the DMZ in South Korea. He completed an additional four-year commitment in the Army Reserves and was discharged as a Specialist 4 in 1971.

He worked several years for R. G. Canning Enterprises, making preliminary contacts and managing security for flea markets and other events. He enjoyed attending hot-rod and other drag-strip races with his friends, and he was an avid Rams football fan, following them even after they moved from L.A. to St. Louis.

In the past 25+ years, Philip worked as a truck driver. He tried operating his own long-haul truck but could not compete financially with the major companies. In recent years he ferried loads across the Canadian border for a nation-wide company and hauled gasoline locally for Todd Fuels. As with many truckers, he never met a person he wouldn’t talk to.

“Rod” was preceded in death by his father (1988), mother (1995) and his wife Carla (2001). He is survived by his daughter Marcie L. Kimball of Half Moon Bay, CA, and sons Dan E. Bratsakis of San Diego, CA, and Jeffrey A. Kimball of Blaine, WA; three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Arlene Wicker of Anaheim, CA, and Lynell (Chuck) Peterson of Meridian, ID. He also will be missed by his many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends in California, Washington, Arizona and elsewhere across the nation.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and doctors of Whatcom Hospice whose tender care made Phil’s final transition more comfortable. Memorial donations may be made to Whatcom Hospice Foundation, http://www.hospicehelp.org/support.htm, or to a charity of your choice. No services are planned. His ashes will be scattered along with Carla’s at a later date.