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Edward L. Kimball
1930 - 2016
Edward L. Kimball
1930 - 2016
Obituary
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Edward Kimball Obituary
Edward L. Kimball is gone. He was born 23 Sept. 1930 and died Nov. 21, 2016 leaving behind a family of which he and his wife of 58 years, Evelyn Bee Madsen (who predeceased him Sept. 27, 2012) were rightly proud. Their seven children: Christian & Linda Kimball, Paula & Teryl Gardner, Mary & David Dollahite, Miles & Gail Kimball, Jordan Kimball & Rebecca England, Joseph & Becky Kimball, and Sarah & Kevin Whisenant provided Ed & Bee 28 exceptional grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
By occupation Ed was a teacher, having taught law at the Universities of Montana and Wisconsin and at Brigham Young University. During a teaching career from 1956 to 1996 his main areas of teaching and scholarship were crimes, trial and lawyer ethics. He served as a member of the Wisconsin special parole board for sex offenders and as a member of the Utah parole board. In 1973 he joined the original faculty of the new BYU law school, taking pride that he was the first to commit himself to join the faculty being assembled by Dean Rex Lee.
By faith he was a Mormon boy, so reared by his parents Spencer W. Kimball and Camilla Eyring and older siblings Spencer Levan, Olive Beth and Andrew. He served as a missionary to The Netherlands, 1949-52. His most satisfying church experiences were teaching adult Sunday school classes and terms as bishop in Missoula, Montana, in his 20s and Provo, Utah in his 50s. He was by inclination a questioner, but early in life he had been impressed by the admonition: "Dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." He found repeatedly that experience confirmed his faith, though it never freed him from questions.
Childhood polio made his walk awkward and also made him shy, though few perceived that. More people mistakenly thought him aloof. His truest friend was his wife Bee, who provided him home, family, affection, patience, and a willingness to live with his lawyer's penchant for endlessly qualifying her statements. He had a mild temperament. He had a dry wit, though he saw himself as "stuffed shirt." He was hard to get started, but impossible to stop once he got under way. He was both thrifty and reasonably generous. He felt he had to clean his plate. He ate little meat, but was big on cookies and pie. His interests included words, history, religion, teaching and writing. He was happy at home and typically sat at his desk for hours on end.
Ed knew his departure was like taking a pebble out of a stream, but he hoped a few would miss him more than momentarily.
In memory of Edward L. Kimball, the family encourages a donation to the March of Dimes or the Mormon History Association.
A memorial service will be held on Sat. Dec.3, at 11 a.m. at 925 East North Temple Drive, Provo, Utah ("Bell Tower Chapel").
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January 5, 2017
Aunt Camilla once told me that Edward would always have a very special place in her heart because of what he went through with the polio. He certainly did not let that stop him! Thank you Edward for writing and publishing, "Lengthen Your Stride, The Presidency of Spencer W. Kimball" in 2005, and the "... Working Draft" in 2009. Your insights regarding his attributes and reasoning are gold to me. May our Lord bless your family for the many contributions you too have made in so many lives.
Marilyn Shipp Miner
December 4, 2016
I remember Bro. And Sister Kimball from their days in Wisconsin. They along with their chrilden Chris and Paula helped fellowship me into the church after I was baptized. The Kimballl Family set and example of the Gospel that kept me active in church for this past 45 years. All though I have not seen them in many years. Their friendships will always be chaished.
My condolences to all of you at this time.
Sue Henry Christensen
Sally Karren
December 4, 2016
A lonely young, newly converted girl in Missoula admired her Bishop Kimball. He offered her good advice at a disturbing time. How many times I have thought about him and his kindness, offering me his suit jacket on a chilly Easter sunrise service on a hilltop in Missoula. How often I have wanted him to know that he was a tower of strength to a girl who was alone in her conversion, that she is a strong member of the Church, sealed to her spouse and nine children. I wanted to thank him so many times. I was sorry to see that I missed my opportunity when I saw notice of his passing in the Church News. Thank you all for sharing your father with me. Sally Westgard Karren
Ron Clark
December 2, 2016
Mary & David, we add our condolences and deep sorrow at your father's passing. He sounds like a great soul who will add generously to the bounty of his beloved mother and father's quiver beyond the veil. This is a page we will all turn, yet a new beginning of a whole new and wonderful chapter.
Know of our love for you both, and our continued prayers...earnest prayers. We will be at your service if ever needed.
--Ron and Kathy
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Beverly Royer
December 2, 2016
Mary and Sarah,
I am so sorry about the loss of your father. It is always hard to say goodbye to a father. My parents had such respect and affection for your dad as their bishop. I hope you have the comfort you need at this time. I enjoyed reading your memories in the Herald article. Our best to you both.
December 2, 2016
December 2, 2016
Dear Members of the Ed and Bea Kimball family,
We express our love and condolences at the departure of your beloved father to the next life and also our joy at the reunion of your parents as he stands tall beside your vibrant mother. Your parents were always very kind and loving in their attention to us from the beginning of our association with them when David joined the faculty at the law school early in 1974. Ed, as a seasoned law professor, gave David timely and important counsel during the crucial early years of David's career. Throughout their time together he was a caring and appreciative colleague.
Your mother's interest in us was always personal and sincere and your father's very warm and appreciative. They both have such fine intellects and caring hearts. We are not too far behind them in our own lives here on earth and hope we can call upon our memories of them to help us in our progress toward becoming true followers of our Savior. When the last of our parents, Paula's mother, died last year on December 14 at the age of 96, we felt a great relief and a great loss. We were comforted that she was where she wanted to be and that we had been able to join all of our beloved parents in time and will continue to enjoy or family ties eternally. Having dear family members and friends already there in the next life to welcome us is also a joyous prospect. Heavenly Father's plan of happiness is just that!
We are far away in Frankfurt, having arrived here on September 13th to serve for 18 months under the Europe Area Presidency, David as an Associate Area Legal Counsel and Paula serving as a Church History Oral History specialist and giving service with refugees. We are also greatly blessed to be serving in the Primary in a local German-speaking branch of the Church, the Offenbach Zweig. This means that we cannot greet and hug you personally, but we are thinking loving thoughts of you and hope you can feel our love even from afar.
In the words of Paula's father when he closed his messages,
Love and blessings,
David and Paula Thomas/Elder and Sister Thomas
john willis
December 1, 2016
I only met brother Kimball once at a MHA meeting in Ohio. But his work meant a lot to me.
My grandfather Martin Mortensen grew up in the Gila valley and knew President Kimball and his father Andrew quite well. He also was on the faculty of Gila Academy while Camilla Kimball was teaching there.
His biography of his father came out the year before my grandfather died. It was a real privilege to read the first few chapters of the book to him as my grandfather knew most of the people mentioned in the book and remembered many of the incidents described in the book.
His later work on the background of the revelation on Blacks and the priesthood is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how revelation really works. He showed that there is no red telephone in the meeting room of the quorum of the 12 in the Salt Lake Temple. Revelation only comes through hard work and struggle. As his dad said , faith preceeds the miracle.
His work will live on for a very long time.
John Yancey
December 1, 2016
Sorry to hear about your loss. Ed served as a counselor to my father, Harold C. Yancey, in Missoula in the 1950's. Harold passed away on October 21, 2016. I'm sure they're enjoying being together again.
John Yancey
November 30, 2016
Offering deepest sympathy to the family for your loss. May you draw close to God during this difficult time and He will draw close to you. James 4: 8
John Quinlan
November 30, 2016
I WAS A STUDENT AT BYU LAW SCHOOL IN THE 1980s AND PROFESSOR KIMBALL, WHO WAS AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS "FAST EDDY" BY THE STUDENT BODY, WAS ONE OF MY MOST MEMORABLE AND ENJOYABLE PROFESSORS. I TOOK "CRIMINAL TRIAL PRACTICE" FROM HIM NOT BECAUSE I HAD ANY INTEREST IN CRIMINAL LAW BUT BECAUSE I HEARD THAT IT WAS GREAT HANDS-ON CLASS TO LEARN HOW TO BE A GOOD LAWYER AND ADVOCATE IN THE COURTROOM BEFORE JUDGE AND JURY. I LEARNED SO MUCH AND ENJOYED THAT CLASS SO MUCH THAT I TOOK EVERY OTHER CLASS THAT HE TAUGHT! MY PERSONAL INTERACTIONS WITH HIM LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT HE WAS A GREAT MAN. THAT OPINION WAS CONFIRMED LATER WHEN I MARRIED JANICE PARKER (THE DAUGHTER OF PROFESSOR DOUGLAS PARKER) WHOSE FAMILY KNEW EDWARD WELL. I AM SORRY TO HEAR OF HIS PASSING AND I SEND MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY AND LOVED ONES. HE WILL BE MISSED.
JOHN QUINLAN
CLASS OF 1986
Susan Hunt
November 30, 2016
I had the privilege of being a student of Professor Kimball in the early '90s when I attended BYU Law School. I'm sure the lessons taught in his ethics class were among the most important lessons I received at the law school. I'm confident that I am a better lawyer and a better person for having been his student! My condolences to the family - Professor Kimball was a great man who influenced many!
Hale Hawbecker
November 29, 2016
A steady and reliable member of the BYU Law School Faculty when my wife and I were students there in the late 1980s, full of wit and wisdom, always a kind word of encouragement when needed, I remember him well. God's speed Brother Kimball.
John Parsons
November 29, 2016
As a law student and now a practicing lawyer please know that for me and my family Professor Kimballl was a key pebble in the stream of my life. Prayers of comfort for his extended family.
Jill Hales
November 28, 2016
May God bless your family!
November 27, 2016
Enjoyed a correspondence with him about his father's ministry to our Brazilian mission. Great and good man.
David Pace
November 27, 2016
Condolences to the family of Ed Kimball from Cheryl and David Pace (SLC). Ed will always be remembered as having helped our father George Pace navigate a very difficult time as a stake president and professor of religion when Ed served as counselor to him. All the best to you during this time.
Cindy Novak
November 27, 2016
I use to see him on the BYU Campus a lot, and I would smile at him. He would return the smile and be on his way. He seemed to be a very kind and shy man with a keen intellect. Rest in Peace Brother Kimball.
Larry Potomac
November 27, 2016
You were always an inspiration Uncle Ed!
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