Francis Carlton Kimball

Francis Carlton Kimball, of Fentress, was born in Buckeye, Texas, on July 9, 1933, to Frank J. Kimball and Loree West Kimball and died on May 12, 2010, at 76, after an 11-year battle with prostate cancer. He was named for Dr. Francis Carlton Luckett, who had driven all the distance from Fentress to Buckeye to deliver him. Francis attended Markham and Dowdy Elementary Schools

and graduated from Prairie Lea High School where he played football and basketball. Soon after graduation, he married his high school sweetheart.

Following barber college, Francis worked several years as a barber in the Kimball-Wallsmith Barbershop in Luling. He then took up carpentry as a trade and engaged in general construction throughout the local area. One particular job included replacing the windows at the very top of the Hays County Courthouse in San Marcos. He also performed plant maintenance for Prairie Lea School and drove a school bus. He held similar jobs for local area nursing homes. Upon retirement, Francis maintained his rental property and operated a bed and breakfast cabin on the San Marcos River.

Francis had lived in Fentress since 1957, where he was a member of the Fentress United Methodist Church serving on the official board as well as performing routine duties in church operations. Just this March, he bought materials and helped oversee three weeks of church building improvements. He also served numerous terms on the Board of Directors of the Tri-Community Water Corporation.

Francis took great pleasure in hunting and fishing; and for more than 50 years, he bowled in Luling and San Marcos leagues. He delighted in unselfishly helping his family achieve their individual goals and taught his children how to work and live honestly. He loved mowing grass with his 8N Ford tractor, and especially under the tall pecan trees on his San Marcos River land where he had built and helped operate River Bluff Cabin. Francis had a lifelong fondness for dogs, especially for Hannahbelle, his last one. But more than anything else, he loved Jordan and Jaden, his grandchildren.

Francis Kimball is survived by his wife of 56 years, Patsy Munk Kimball; his daughter, Rosemary Kimball and her partner, Judy Painter, of Austin; and his son, John Kimball, and his wife, Linda Ebner Kimball, and their two children, Jordan and Jaden, of Lockhart. He is also survived by one brother, Wayne Kimball, of Luling, and one sister, Shirley Kimball Folkes, of Austin.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents Frank J. Kimball and Loree West Kimball, and two brothers, Jesse Kimball and Frank Kimball, Jr.

A memorial service of thanksgiving for the life of Francis Carlton Kimball followed by a luncheon will be held beginning at 11a.m., on Saturday, May 22, at the Fentress United Methodist Church in Fentress, with Rev. Walter Hoke of Georgetown presiding. Honorary pallbearers include Jordan Kimball, Judy Painter, Dr. Cullen Dauchy, L.C. Forester, Roy Champagne, Tim Kimball, Richard Kimball, David Cain, Ben Ratliff, John McCormick, Scott Knedlik and Blake Knedlik. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Fentress United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 84, Texas 78622.