Walter Coble "Walt" Kimmel

1947 - 2012

Walter Coble Kimmel, age 64, was born to Harry Oscar Kimmel and Doris Coble on Dec. 29, 1947, in Indiana, Pa. He died Sunday, April 8, 2012, in Alamogordo.
The eldest of five sons, he grew up on the Kimmel dairy farm in Shelocta, Pa., where he developed a love of the outdoors. Walt was closely surrounded by family on the farm, including, Eleanor, his paternal grandmother; 10 cousins; and his Uncle John and Aunt Charlotte. He attended the Plumcreek Church of the Brethren during his youth.
After the family moved to Pittsburgh, Walt inherited his lifelong love of flying from his father, Harry, who began his flying career at that time. The family then lived briefly in Washington, Pa., before moving to the Guilford College community in North Carolina. Walt graduated from Guilford High School, class of 1965, and worked at the local airport.
He graduated from Guilford Technical Community College with a degree in drafting and in 1968 joined the Air Force.
Walt spent 26 years in the Air Force serving in Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm in Iraq. After retirement he worked twice for Brown and Root under military contract from 1995 to 2001 and 2002 until 2008. During that time he was stationed in Bosnia, Iraq and North Africa.
Walt married Eiko Arakaki on April 10, 1972, in Okinawa. To this union was born one son, Jon Kimmel, on Jan. 16, 1975.
Walt and Eiko traveled the world extensively. During his life Walt was a pilot, a scuba diver and a photographer; enjoyed remote control vehicles and horses; and was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Walt is survived by his mother, Doris Kimmel, of North Carolina; brothers Jim and wife, Donna, of Ohio, Hap and Mary Beth, of North Carolina, Joe and wife, Sue, of Virginia and Steve and wife, Robin, of North Carolina; his loving wife, Eiko, of Alamogordo ;and their son, Jon, of Las Cruces.
It was Walt's wish that his body be donated to science.
Memorial services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 14, 2012, at the Alamogordo Funeral Home Chapel with Chuck Moon officiating.
His ashes will be inurned at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso with full military honors at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made in Walt's name to Alamogordo Home Care and Hospice, located at 1859 Indian Wells Road in Alamogordo.
The Kimmel family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home.
To sign the online register book, please visit www.alamogordofuneralhome.org.