David Forest Kimble

David F. Kimble, Major, USAF, Retired

David Forest Kimble was born in Sheridan, Wyoming to Charles Walker and Flavel Bethurem Kimble on October 4, 1931.  He went home to be with his Lord and Savior on May 19, 2023. Prior to the time of his death, he resided with his family in Mount Airy, NC.

Dave graduated from Sheridan High School in 1950 and joined the U. S. Air Force in June of that year.  He worked on the first computer, the UNIVAC at the Pentagon before he was discharged in 1953.  He and Beverly Jane Cox of Sheridan, Wyoming were married on October 2, 1953, and David entered Carroll College, Helena, Montana 2 years later.  He earned a R.N. diploma, training at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Billings, Montana and then his B.S. degree in Nursing Education from Carroll College in 1959.  He was commissioned into the Air Force as an officer and the family moved to Minnesota where he trained as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, graduating in 1963.  He also was trained as a Flight Nurse and in tropical survival to prepare for duty in Vietnam.  Dave served in England, Missouri, Korea, Panama Canal Zone, Vietnam, Spain, and Ohio, retiring in 1978 with the rank of Major.  He continued his anesthesia career in civilian hospitals.   He still liked to travel so he did several years of free-lance anesthesia all over the U.S.  He was a dedicated and skilled member of his profession, not only “caring for his patients, but caring about them”, in the words of one of his commanding officers.  He finally retired completely in 1994 and was a deputy sheriff while living in Colorado, adding medical care to search and rescue victims.

During all these years, Dave was a committed Christian, serving in many positions wherever he found a need in his church and community.  He was certified as a lay preacher in the Southern Baptist Church in 1973 while living in Spain and directed the Sunday School programs at several bases.

Dave was awarded several service medals during his Air Force career, among which were the following: Bronze Star, Air Force Accommodations Medal, the Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Presidential Unit Citation, Marine Outstanding Unit Award with 1 oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 1 oak leaf cluster, Air Force good conduct medal, the Army good conduct medal, National Defense Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Longevity Service medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, the Small Arms Expert ribbon, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.  He also earned Flight Nurse Wings, serving in that capacity in Vietnam, flying several dangerous rescue missions to pick up and care for the wounded.  At other times, he did triage care on the field, stabilizing the wounded for transport on flights to larger care facilities.

Dave loved to fish and hunt in his younger years.  He enjoyed hiking and camping in the Big Horn mountains for as long as he was able.  His favorite activities were dancing, painting, and woodworking.

Dave was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Beverly in 2009; his parents, two brothers, and three sisters.  He is survived by his daughters, Kay Bost and husband Archie Bost of Mt. Airy, NC; Karen Rafferty and husband Harry Rafferty of Vista, CA; Jeannette Elmore and husband Richard Elmore of Snohomish, WA, and his son, Kevin Kimble of Colorado Springs, CO.  He leaves behind seven grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place according to his wishes and a celebration of his life will be held at Highland Park Baptist Church on Friday, May 26^th, with visitation at 2:00 PM and memorial service at 3:00PM with Dr. Darrell Tate officiating.  Dave praised the Lord every day for His loving care for his family.  He was content that he left them in the hands of a sovereign God who will care for them and trust that they will all join him in the “Ivory Palaces” where he now resides.  The song, “Ivory Palaces”, was his favorite hymn. He would want you to join his family and friends to rejoice in his victory homecoming.