Max Barker Kimel

Mr. Max Barker Kimel, 84, of Winston-Salem, passed away Sunday, May 15, 2016. He was born December 13, 1931 in Forsyth County to Cora Bodsford Kimel and Norman S. Kimel. Max spent his childhood in Canton, Ohio and moved back to Winston-Salem when he was 18 years old. He played football, basketball and baseball at Clemmons High School. After high school he worked for RJR until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served during the Korean Conflict and was an expert marksman. While in Korea, he was on the Drill Team and performed in front of President Eiesenhower and Syngman Rhee. When he returned from service, he went back to work at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company at Reynolds Research Lab and retired after 36 years of service from the Quality Assurance Department as a supervisor. Max loved playing softball and played in the church league and for the R.J. Reynolds Research Lab team. He loved to play Santa Claus at the Jonestown Civic Club and at Pine Grove United Methodist Church. Max loved children and bragging about his own grandchildren. He was a Blue Ribbon Winner at the Dixie Classic Fair for his carvings of birds, dogs and Santa's. Max was an enjoyable person who loved to laugh, mow yards, cutting wood, hunting and fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Lorene Laughman and Helen Gordon. Surviving are his wife of almost 64 years, Mrs. Billie Cumby Kimel; three children, Lynn Ridenour (Steve), Max B. Kimel, Jr. (Susan) and Stephanie Kimel (Jeff Bull) and three grandchildren, Karen Kimel Scott, MD, Jennie Kimel and Devan Bull. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 19, 2016 at Pine Grove United Methodist Church with Rev. Greg Freeman officiating. A private family graveside service will follow in the church cemetery. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. Memorials may be made to Pine Grove United Methodist Church, 1130 Jonestown Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

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