Carl John Gimmel

Carl John Gimmel, age 90, of Lexington, widower of Frances S. Gimmel, passed away on Friday, August 9, 2024. He was born July 30, 1934, in Paterson, NJ, a son of the late Karl John and Anneliese Schmidt Gimmel.
Carl was a 1957 graduate of Memorial High School in West New York, NJ and worked in the family bakery before entering the U.S. Navy, where he was an Electricians Mate. He was stationed in Reykjavik, Iceland for active duty from 1957-59. He was Honorably Discharged from the Navy on Oct. 5, 1964, after serving in the Reserves.
Carl began a new career in retail management, quickly becoming District Manager with Plaid Stamp Redemption Stores in New Jersey. He then transitioned to MacDonald Sales Center, moving to Ohio to be a key player in the opening of several stores. In 1976, he relocated to Lexington and was the store manager of their South Park location from 1976-1985. He also served as the Southpark Merchant President during this time. He then went on to be an assistant store manager for Super America before settling in as produce manager for Winn Dixie in Palomar Centre.
After store closures, Carl found a new career working for Fayette County Schools as a cafeteria worker at Lafayette High School. He retired after 17 years of service in 2014. Civilly, Carl gave back as an election officer for 20 years, voted in every election, no matter how small the ballot, and also was a blood donor. He philanthropically supported ASCPA, Lexington Humane Society, Special Olympics, Ellis Island Foundation, The Salvation Army, Alzheimer's Research, Disabled American Veterans, St. Jude, and so many more.
Carl was a man of integrity, great work ethic, caring and kind, loving, and had high morals. He was a very relaxed man who was objective and fair. He missed his wife every day since she passed, and he loved his cat. Carl is survived by: a son, Carl John Karlsson; two daughters, Lisa Maria Karlsdottir, and Suzanne Gimmel; sister, Annamarie Nash; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and his faithful cat, Angel. Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by: a daughter, Anna Karlsdottir; and grandson, Rikhardur Karlsson.
Funeral services will be held 11:30 a.m. Monday, August 19, 2024, at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home-Harrodsburg Road. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday, August 18th at Kerr Brothers-Harrodsburg Road. Carl will be laid to rest with his wife at Camp Nelson National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to The Lexington Humane Society, 1600 Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, KY 40504.