01/28/2012
Ronald Lee Kimm died, surrounded by his family, from complications of diabetes on
Saturday, January 28, 2012, at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. Memorial services
will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church,
8051 E. P. True Parkway in West Des Moines.
Ron was born August 20, 1938 in Vinton, Iowa. His parents lived in Knoxville, Iowa
at the time, but were visiting Vinton when his mother went into labor. Ron lived
in Knoxville and Burlington as a young child. He attended Knoxville schools, where
he was active in sports, and graduated in 1956. Ron attended William Penn College
in Oskaloosa and Central College in Pella. He loved to dance, and performed in 'Oklahoma'
and 'South Pacific.'
Ron worked at Mutual of Omaha and retired from Firestone after 40 years of service.
He lived in Urbandale his entire adult life, where he was dedicated to youth sports.
He served on the Board of Directors for the Urbandale Little League, and also served
as a Little League coach. He coached youth girls and boys basketball, as well as
girls softball. Ron was an Iowa High School referee and umpire for boys and girls
in the sports of basketball, softball, baseball and football, and enjoyed the occasions
when he officiated with his son, Todd.
Ron was a past-president of the Des Moines Amateur Hockey Association and was a
founding member of the Urbandale High School hockey team. He served as Urbandale's
coach for two years, and led the team to a league championship. Ron was inducted
into the Knoxville High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Ron loved Hawkeye football and basketball, and was a big New York Yankees fan. He
was fond of dogs and had many happy memories of past pets, including Cookie, Tappy,
Herkey, Benji and Rikki.
Ron was Christian and knew Jesus Christ as his savior. His family will miss his
humor; his stubbornness; and his whole-hearted commitment to his family; but they
rejoice in the knowledge he is free of all pain and illness in his heavenly home.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents Norma Wolf Kimm and Stanley Kimm and his
grandparents, Reese and Mick Wolf of Knoxville and Martin and Gae Kimm of Iowa City.
Survivors include his son Todd Kimm (Polly Carver-Kimm) of Urbandale, and his daughter
Tisha Kimm Gray (John Gray) of Waukee. Grandchildren include Tara, Kaitlin and Trevor Kimm of Urbandale and Jessica and Taylor Gray of Waukee.
Also left to cherish his
memory are his sister Nanci Kimm Schaper and her husband Ken of Ankeny and his niece
Paige Sterling-Sitroneto, her husband John, and their daughter, Sashia of Ankeny.
The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 p.m. Tuesday at Iles Funeral Homes-Westover
Chapel. In lieu of flowers contributions may be given to the family for a memorial
to be directed later. Online condolences will be welcomed at IlesCares.com.