O. C. Kimble, age 99, died Thursday, May 30, 2013 in Clayton, New Mexico.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 PM on Monday, June 3, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church in Clayton with Rev. Jay Jones, pastor officiating. Burial followed in the Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton, New Mexico.

O. C. (Orville Chester) Kimble was born on November 4, 1913 in Beggs, Oklahoma to Roy C. Kimble and Ella Lee (Vick) Kimble. His dad bought land and became a cattle rancher. O. C. spent most of his time on the ranch helping his dad. He graduated from Clayton High School in 1932 and in 1937 he moved to Santa Fe and ran a gas distributorship, delivering gas to Los Alamos and all over the rest of the state. There he met the love of his life, Bobbie, and they were married on December 10, 1938. Their two sons, Fred and Roy, were born during the time they lived in Santa Fe. From Santa Fe the family moved to El Centro, California where he ran a feedlot for two years. In 1948 they moved back to Clayton to take over the family ranching business. He was a true cattleman, and loved ranching. He was proud of his hometown, and always bragged about his little piece of heaven in New Mexico. O. C. was on the board of directors at the First National Bank, the New Mexico State Research Center in Clayton and was on the board of directors at La Mesa Park. He enjoyed all the sporting events at Clayton High School. After retiring, O. C. became an avid golfer. In fact it became his new job. He and Bobbie moved to Mesa, Arizona so they could play golf most of the year. They spent the winters in Arizona and the summers in Clayton. He dearly loved golfing with his grandsons. He was finally forced to give up golfing and in 2011 they moved back to Clayton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bobbie on April 5, 2012.

SURVIVORS:

2 SONS: Fred Kimble and Roy Kimble and his wife Donna all of Clayton, New Mexico.

6 GRANDSONS: Chris Kimble and his wife Joyce and Jeff Kimble all of Bangkok, Thailand, Eric Kimble of Charlotte, North Carolina, Ryan Kimble and his wife Ginger and Todd Kimble and his wife Johnna all of Clayton, New Mexico and Crockett Kimble of Red River, New Mexico.

5 GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: Bobbi Kimble of Bangkok, Thailand and Skyler Kimble, Julaine Kimble, Tailyn Kimble and Joslyn Kimble all of Clayton, New Mexico.

2 SISTERS: Ella Lee Orendorf of Virginia and Katy Stevens of Deming, New Mexico.

And many friends, nieces and nephews.

MEMORIALS: The family suggests that memorials be made to the Union County General Hospital Auxiliary, 300 Wilson Street, Clayton, New Mexico 88415 or to the charity of your choice.