Warren Gene Kimmel Obituary (2023)

Warren Gene Kimmel stepped into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Monday afternoon, December 4, 2023. He lived his 97 years with purpose, integrity, faith, and love. In the end, all that remains is love. Except for a couple of years during World War II, he lived his entire life within sight of the Yakima Valley. Born in Sunnyside, he spent his early childhood on the family homestead on Rattlesnake Mountain, riding a horse to a one room schoolhouse. He moved to Prosser while in grade school and graduated from Prosser High School after his Junior year. After returning from the war, he worked at Hanford, married Erma Rose Barlow on March 21, 1948, (his birthday), worked at a service station in Sunnyside, and then on to Pacific Power, eventually transferring to Yakima, where he retired when he was 55. They took trips to Alaska and the Caribbean, tried their hand at snowbirding (once), and settled into RV-ing anywhere the fish were biting in Washington State. He passed his faith, love of life, love and respect for the outdoors, and love of dogs, to his four children, eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and we expect, to his great-great-grandson. He and Erma were beloved greeters at West Side Church for over 50 years. He became known as "Uncle Gene" to hundreds who rested in his warm hug, strong handshake, and welcoming smile. Gene is preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Erma (Barlow) Kimmel, his parents Willis and Elizabeth (Greene) Kimmel, brothers, Raymond, Ronald, Larry, Melvin (Ross), and sisters, Betty Jensen and Janet Kreitle. A Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 1:00pm, at Tahoma Cemetery. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com. Graveside Service Tahoma Cemetery Tuesday, December 19, 2023 1:00 PM 1802 Tahoma Avenue Yakima, WA 98902