THEODORE DAVID KIMBLE

Theodore David Kimble, 48, died Friday, September 5, 2003 at his home in Suquamish, Wash., after a long and difficult struggle with alcohol addiction and depression. Ted was born November 16, 1954 in White Plains, N.Y., the third of five children, to Constance Rivard Kimble and R. David Kimble. His early years were spent in Crestwood, N.Y. Ted graduated from Scarsdale High School, Scarsdale N.Y. in 1973. Friends and classmates plan to remember Ted with a memorial gathering during what would have been Ted's 30th class reunion next week. In 1981, Ted graduated from State University of New York, New Paltz with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. After graduation, Ted moved to Miami, Fla., and worked in various restaurants before entering into a business partnership with his dear friend Audrey Scott and her sister Karen. They designed and manufactured stained glass pieces for practical application as well as works of art at Color That Works. It was a skill that Ted was proud to master and add to his repertoire of oils, charcoal sketches, watercolor and installation exhibits. In 1992, Ted relocated to Seattle, Wash., to be near his sister Su Kimble Niland and her family. He was an almost daily force, influence and source of amusement in the lives of the Niland children. Uncle Ted's visits were always a cause for celebration, especially at holiday time when Ted would go to work decorating their house. Ted loved to travel and talked often about his tour of Australia with his mom and about his trip to Europe with his brother Tony to whom he was very close. Ted continued his cooking career in Seattle, working in several quality restaurants. He was especially proud of helping to create, build and work in the family-owned-and-run Kimbles' Kitchen with the Niland family. Regardless of how Ted earned his living, he was an artist to the core. He saw the world through his own special lens, much like the beautiful stained glass kaleidoscopes he made and offered as gifts to family and friends. Ted was whimsical, emotional, creative, private, sensitive and shy. Ted never met a parade he didn't like. Some of Ted's favorite hobbies included art, music, reading David Sedaris, cooking for and entertaining friends and family, but especially he loved visiting his nieces and nephew. He held a special place in his heart for miniature longhaired dachshunds and penguins (the "demigods" he called them). Ted loved the music of the Gregorian chants, Leo Kottke, Handel, Miles Davis, Maceo Parker, and Tito Puentes. He preferred Thelonious Monk to Art Tatum ("That guy plays too many notes.") Ted was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by siblings Patsy Brunner (Bill Brunner), Missoula, Mont.; Kathleen R. Kimble (Bill Fleischman), Missoula, Mont.; Tony Kimble (Laura Kimble), Brewster, N.Y.; and Su Kimble Niland (Mickey Niland), Seattle, Wash.; nieces and nephews Beth Brunner, Lily, Emmett and Marley Niland, and Karen Kimble; and by loving aunts, uncles and cousins. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials in Ted's name be donated to a local food bank, school arts program or council on alcoholism. Purchasing a work of art from your favorite local artist is also suggested as a way to honor Ted. Cremation has taken place and Ted's ashes will be scattered in Blue Hill Bay off the coast of Ellsworth, Maine, by the same rock where the ashes of his parents were also placed.