Chester Frayer "Skip" Kimball III

1934 - 2024

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 11:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milton, LA for Chester Frayer 'Skip' Kimball, III, 89, who passed away on Friday, September 27, 2024, at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette, LA. Visitation will be observed at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette, LA on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 8:30 am until 10:30 am, followed by a funeral procession to Milton, LA for services. Interment will follow with military honors in St. Joseph Cemetery in Milton, LA. Father William Schambough, Pastor of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Milton, LA, and Father Louis J. Richard, will officiate. Chester Frayer Kimball, III, a descendant of the Mayflower-John Howland, began his earthly life on October 19, 1934, and transitioned to his heavenly life on September 27, 2024. He always had a larger-than-life personality that commanded everyone's attention, charmed them into indulging his every wish and earned him the nickname Skipper from his grandmother because he always ran the ship. When Skip talked, people paid attention, even as a young child every summer while visiting Chautauqua, NY. It was here that he raced sailboats, experienced the thespian culture and created memories that his children enjoyed hearing stories about. He was devoted to his family and took pride in providing for all their needs so that the love of his life, Linda, could live out her dreams of life on the farm. Skip met Linda while attending LSU, where he also served in the Army Reserves. Linda's mother, Dearie, didn't approve of the relationship, but it wasn't long before Skip's charming ways won both Linda and Dearie's hearts. It was those same good looks and charming ways that his eldest son, Kevin, would inherit. After graduating from LSU as a Petroleum Engineer, he and Linda moved to Texas with intentions of starting a family and laying down roots. Skip's work often sent him to faraway places around the world, but he always found his way home. Even while away, his wife and children felt his presence. He was their protector, father and friend. It didn't matter what his children faced in life, Skip made sure they were safe and loved. Several years and four children later, Skip could no longer resist the call of Cajun Country. He moved his family to Lafayette, where Kimball's Funny Farm was founded and family meals brought everyone together. Skip was fun to be around and some of his children's fondest memories are of water balloon fights, the time he surprised his second eldest son, Craig, at the front door with water spray, wrestling, tricking them into pulling his finger and pancake breakfasts. Nothing is as memorable though as Skip sunbathing and enjoying a good scotch. Although he never wore a speedo, he would pull his shorts up and tuck them in so that he could get as much sun as he could. When he wasn't sunbathing, he loved wearing nothing but his yellow exercise shorts with knee high socks and steel toe boots while working at the farm. Skip took great satisfaction in being around others and loved entertaining. He was so proud of being an LSU Tiger, that he decorated every bit of his office in purple and gold. Nothing showed his school spirit as much as his purple and gold van with the shag carpet, that he drove to all the LSU home games. He wasn't just fun and games though. He had impeccable work ethic and strived to instill those same values in his children. One of his priorities in life was for his children to learn to invest wisely so they could retire without worry. Skip would wake up early to hand write reports and then nap later in the day. He especially enjoyed it when his wild middle child, Cherri, visited him at his office, and he would regal her with engineering stories of the oil field world. Even when Skip couldn't be near physically, he made sure to have his phone so he was never more than a phone call away. Skip loved talking on the phone and always had it with him, even up until his last breath. He always spoke with his sister, Sterry, who he loved dearly and enjoyed joking around with and making each other laugh. As Skip grew older and settled into life on the farm, he enjoyed watching the birds and feeding the wildlife. He would lay out peanuts all along the back porch and wait to see how many raccoon or squirrels would come to eat his treats. The farm may have been the desire of Linda's heart, but it was where Skip spent his last days, following Shivaun around on his scooter. Wherever Shivaun was, Skip would be scooting along right behind her, watching her fish, building bonfires, and taking pride in her care of the family homestead. Terry may have been the youngest of his children, but he was Skip's mini me. Skip and Terry shared a special bond, forged in love for the farm, all things in life and work ethic. The farm was where Skip said his last I Love You to Linda and watched as the next generation carried on the Kimball legacy. Left to cherish his memory are his five children, Kevin Kimball and his wife, Dava, Craig Kimball and his wife, Donna, Cherri Kimball and her wife, Stacy, Shivaun Bertrand and her husband, Brian, Terry Kimball and his wife, Adrienne; his sister, Sterry Davis and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved their Pappy dearly. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Linda Renfroe Kimball; his parents, Chester Frayer Kimball, II, and "Bea" Kimball and his grandson, Bryce Nicklaus Bertrand. We love you Pappy, and you and the horse you rode in on. Pallbearers will be Taylor Kimball, Collin Kimball, Chris Kimball, Nicholas Kimball, Ryan Kimball, and Bruce Meador. Honorary Bearers will be Tripp Kimball, Suzane Marshall, Carla Broussard, Janet Taylor, and Tranda Sims. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Skip Kimball's name to Catholic Charities of Acadiana, 405 St John St., Lafayette, LA 70502; (337) 235-4972; https://catholiccharitiesacadiana.org/ Online obituary and guest book may be viewed at www.fountainmemorialfuneralhome.com. Fountain Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1010 Pandora St., Lafayette, LA 70506, 337-981-7098 is in charge of arrangements.