Gip I. Kimball

Gip Isaiah Kimball, Jr., 92, died Sunday, February 2nd in Dalton, Ga. A memorial service will be held at a later date at St. John’s Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC. Mr. Kimball was born July 1, 1921 in Winston-Salem, NC, the only son of Gip Isaiah Kimball Sr. and Lucille Rasnake Kimball. He graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School. While in high school, he played tuba with the Home Moravian Church Brass Band at Easter sunrise services in Old Salem. He went on to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce. He began his career as a Certified Public Accountant with the firm Haskins and Sells (now part of Deloitte) in Charlotte before receiving his commission as a Lieutenant with the U.S. Navy. He served during World War II in the Admiralty Islands as a supply officer with the Seabees. Prior to leaving for the South Pacific, he was stationed at the Charleston Navy Yard in Charleston, SC. While there, he met his future wife of 65 years, Violet Irene Gibson of Folkston, GA. They were married March 6, 1946 at Citadel Square Baptist Church in Charleston. They lived briefly in Washington DC where he served with the Bureau of Ships before leaving active duty after which they returned to Charlotte. He continued working as a CPA with Haskins and Sells and later with the Terrell Machinery Company where he was the CFO until his retirement in 1985. Mr. Kimball was an active member of St. John’s Baptist Church in Charlotte for 66 years. He was a Life Deacon and also served as the Chair of Deacons. In addition, he served on several church committees, including the Finance Committee. He was also interim Business Manager for the church for several months in 1991. In 2009, he moved to Dalton, GA to be near his daughter Cindy Dykes. Mr. Kimball was a devoted fan of the North Carolina Tar Heels. He enjoyed reading, listening to classical music, and spending time at Wild Dunes near Charleston. Mr. Kimball was preceded in death by his wife, Irene, and his son, William Gip Kimball. He is survived by two daughters, Cindy Dykes (Clay) of Dalton, GA and Kathryn Guilbeau (Charles) of St. Louis, MO and daughter-in-law, Fredda Kimball of Charlotte. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Andy Dykes (Deidre) of Bethesda, MD, Frank Dykes of Dalton, GA, Mary Kathryn Dykes Endicott (Kenneth) of Meridian, MS, Thomas Dykes of Atlanta, GA, Jimmy Kimball of Las Vegas, NV, Sam Kimball (Whitney) of New Orleans, LA, and Eric and Sophie Guilbeau of St. Louis, MO. Memorials may be made to St. John’s Baptist Church, 300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204. Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com. Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave, Dalton, GA is in charge of arrangements