OBITUARY
W. DUKE KIMBRELL, 89, died peacefully at his residence on October 22, 2014.
He was born December 28, 1924, the son of the late Curtis Kimbrell & Carolyn Carter Kimbrell and was a lifelong resident of Gastonia. In addition to his parents, Mr. Kimbrell was preceded in death by his sister Jean K. Hovis. He is survived by his beloved wife, Dot, of 59 years, daughter Pamela K. Warlick and husband Anderson of Gastonia, NC, son W. Duke Kimbrell, Jr. of Langhorne, PA and daughter Shepard K. Halsch and husband Tom of Darien, CT, George Barnett, brother Curtis C. Kimbrell of Sumter, SC, sister Haidee K. Richardson of Gastonia, grandchildren Collins Warlick Byers and husband Fred of Charlotte, Anderson Davis Warlick and wife Annie of Charlotte, and Matthew Carter Halsch, and great-grandchild Everrett Kimbrell Byers.
Mr. Kimbrell graduated from Gastonia High School and knew the hardships of the 1930s, working summers before and during high school. After high school, he joined the Army to fight as a gunner on a B-17 bomber flying out of England. Upon returning from war, Mr. Kimbrell began a part-time job at Parkdale Mills. In 1949, he graduated from N.C. State University and joined Parkdale Mills as a full-time employee where he worked in all phases of the operation.
In 1961, Mr. Kimbrell was named Vice-President and in 1966, named President. In 1967, he became Chairman of the Board. In 1983, the Kimbrell family became joint owners of Parkdale Mills with the Robinson family. Today, Mr. Kimbrell has been ranked the second most influential textile executive in the 20th Century by Textile World Magazine and Parkdale is now the largest manufacturer of spun yarn in the world. Mr. Kimbrell, known as Gastonia's most prominent textile leader, learned from his father that to get ahead you have to work hard, and then work harder. He had a desire and ability to work with people on their level and focused on people instead of things.
Mr. Kimbrell also had a keen desire to give back to his community and was heavily involved in several civic, Church, and other groups by leading with his ideas and helping them become a reality. Throughout his life, he was devoted to helping others and was a leader with the United Way, Gaston Day School, the Boy Scouts, the Schiele Museum, Covenant Village, the Community Foundation, and others.
Mr. Kimbrell was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Gastonia and past chairman of Deacons and Elders along with many other activities. He was the past president of the YMCA, founder and also past president of Gaston Day School.
Mr. Kimbrell has been honored with countless awards and honors throughout his lifetime, including: Gaston Gazette's "Person of the Year" in 1990; "Leader of the Year" in 1991 by Textile World; ATMI's prestigious Samuel Slater Award; NCSU's College of Textiles Distinguished Alumnus Award. In 1993, Boy Scouts Silver Beaver Award; an Honorary degree from UNC-Charlotte as a Doctor of Public Service; Cotton Inc.'s Achievement Award; Civitan Club's "Man of the Year" in 1995; NC State University's "Watauga Medal"; Southern Textile Association's "Chapman Award"; and The Cotton Hall of Fame in 1996. In 1997, the NC 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award and Textile World's Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1998, the National Cotton Council "Harry S. Baker Distinguished Service Award" and Boy Scouts Golden Eagle Award. In 2000, featured in Carolina Preserves and honored with the Allen H. Sims Award by the Community Foundation of Gaston County. In 2001, he was named to the North Carolina Business Hall of Fame. In 2002, Rotary Internationals "Paul Harris Fellow" Award and in 2003, the Gaston Chamber of Commerce "Spirit of the Carolinas" Award and also the State of North Carolina's "The Order of the Long Leaf Pine". In 2004, named to the American Textile Hall of Fame, and in 2005 received an Honorary Doctorate from NC State University. In 2006, he was honored with Leadership and Philanthropy Recognition by Gaston Day School.
He was a leader in the best aspects of life and leaves behind a heritage to be admired and emulated.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00PM, Saturday at First Presbyterian Church of Gastonia with Dr. John L. Frye, Jr. and Reverend Lauren Sease Vanacore officiating.
The Henderlite Class, The 1924 Club and The Board of Directors of Parkdale Mills will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.
W. DUKE KIMBRELL, 89, died peacefully at his residence on October 22, 2014.
He was born December 28, 1924, the son of the late Curtis Kimbrell & Carolyn Carter Kimbrell and was a lifelong resident of Gastonia. In addition to his parents, Mr. Kimbrell was preceded in death by his sister Jean K. Hovis. He is survived by his beloved wife, Dot, of 59 years, daughter Pamela K. Warlick and husband Anderson of Gastonia, NC, son W. Duke Kimbrell, Jr. of Langhorne, PA and daughter Shepard K. Halsch and husband Tom of Darien, CT, George Barnett, brother Curtis C. Kimbrell of Sumter, SC, sister Haidee K. Richardson of Gastonia, grandchildren Collins Warlick Byers and husband Fred of Charlotte, Anderson Davis Warlick and wife Annie of Charlotte, and Matthew Carter Halsch, and great-grandchild Everrett Kimbrell Byers.
Mr. Kimbrell graduated from Gastonia High School and knew the hardships of the 1930s, working summers before and during high school. After high school, he joined the Army to fight as a gunner on a B-17 bomber flying out of England. Upon returning from war, Mr. Kimbrell began a part-time job at Parkdale Mills. In 1949, he graduated from N.C. State University and joined Parkdale Mills as a full-time employee where he worked in all phases of the operation.
In 1961, Mr. Kimbrell was named Vice-President and in 1966, named President. In 1967, he became Chairman of the Board. In 1983, the Kimbrell family became joint owners of Parkdale Mills with the Robinson family. Today, Mr. Kimbrell has been ranked the second most influential textile executive in the 20th Century by Textile World Magazine and Parkdale is now the largest manufacturer of spun yarn in the world. Mr. Kimbrell, known as Gastonia's most prominent textile leader, learned from his father that to get ahead you have to work hard, and then work harder. He had a desire and ability to work with people on their level and focused on people instead of things.
Mr. Kimbrell also had a keen desire to give back to his community and was heavily involved in several civic, Church, and other groups by leading with his ideas and helping them become a reality. Throughout his life, he was devoted to helping others and was a leader with the United Way, Gaston Day School, the Boy Scouts, the Schiele Museum, Covenant Village, the Community Foundation, and others.
Mr. Kimbrell was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Gastonia and past chairman of Deacons and Elders along with many other activities. He was the past president of the YMCA, founder and also past president of Gaston Day School.
Mr. Kimbrell has been honored with countless awards and honors throughout his lifetime, including: Gaston Gazette's "Person of the Year" in 1990; "Leader of the Year" in 1991 by Textile World; ATMI's prestigious Samuel Slater Award; NCSU's College of Textiles Distinguished Alumnus Award. In 1993, Boy Scouts Silver Beaver Award; an Honorary degree from UNC-Charlotte as a Doctor of Public Service; Cotton Inc.'s Achievement Award; Civitan Club's "Man of the Year" in 1995; NC State University's "Watauga Medal"; Southern Textile Association's "Chapman Award"; and The Cotton Hall of Fame in 1996. In 1997, the NC 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award and Textile World's Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1998, the National Cotton Council "Harry S. Baker Distinguished Service Award" and Boy Scouts Golden Eagle Award. In 2000, featured in Carolina Preserves and honored with the Allen H. Sims Award by the Community Foundation of Gaston County. In 2001, he was named to the North Carolina Business Hall of Fame. In 2002, Rotary Internationals "Paul Harris Fellow" Award and in 2003, the Gaston Chamber of Commerce "Spirit of the Carolinas" Award and also the State of North Carolina's "The Order of the Long Leaf Pine". In 2004, named to the American Textile Hall of Fame, and in 2005 received an Honorary Doctorate from NC State University. In 2006, he was honored with Leadership and Philanthropy Recognition by Gaston Day School.
He was a leader in the best aspects of life and leaves behind a heritage to be admired and emulated.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00PM, Saturday at First Presbyterian Church of Gastonia with Dr. John L. Frye, Jr. and Reverend Lauren Sease Vanacore officiating.
The Henderlite Class, The 1924 Club and The Board of Directors of Parkdale Mills will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.
OBITUARY
W. DUKE KIMBRELL, 89, died peacefully at his residence on October 22, 2014.
He was born December 28, 1924, the son of the late Curtis Kimbrell & Carolyn Carter Kimbrell and was a lifelong resident of Gastonia. In addition to his parents, Mr. Kimbrell was preceded in death by his sister Jean K. Hovis. He is survived by his beloved wife, Dot, of 59 years, daughter Pamela K. Warlick and husband Anderson of Gastonia, NC, son W. Duke Kimbrell, Jr. of Langhorne, PA and daughter Shepard K. Halsch and husband Tom of Darien, CT, George Barnett, brother Curtis C. Kimbrell of Sumter, SC, sister Haidee K. Richardson of Gastonia, grandchildren Collins Warlick Byers and husband Fred of Charlotte, Anderson Davis Warlick and wife Annie of Charlotte, and Matthew Carter Halsch, and great-grandchild Everrett Kimbrell Byers.
Mr. Kimbrell graduated from Gastonia High School and knew the hardships of the 1930s, working summers before and during high school. After high school, he joined the Army to fight as a gunner on a B-17 bomber flying out of England. Upon returning from war, Mr. Kimbrell began a part-time job at Parkdale Mills. In 1949, he graduated from N.C. State University and joined Parkdale Mills as a full-time employee where he worked in all phases of the operation.
In 1961, Mr. Kimbrell was named Vice-President and in 1966, named President. In 1967, he became Chairman of the Board. In 1983, the Kimbrell family became joint owners of Parkdale Mills with the Robinson family. Today, Mr. Kimbrell has been ranked the second most influential textile executive in the 20th Century by Textile World Magazine and Parkdale is now the largest manufacturer of spun yarn in the world. Mr. Kimbrell, known as Gastonia's most prominent textile leader, learned from his father that to get ahead you have to work hard, and then work harder. He had a desire and ability to work with people on their level and focused on people instead of things.
Mr. Kimbrell also had a keen desire to give back to his community and was heavily involved in several civic, Church, and other groups by leading with his ideas and helping them become a reality. Throughout his life, he was devoted to helping others and was a leader with the United Way, Gaston Day School, the Boy Scouts, the Schiele Museum, Covenant Village, the Community Foundation, and others.
Mr. Kimbrell was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Gastonia and past chairman of Deacons and Elders along with many other activities. He was the past president of the YMCA, founder and also past president of Gaston Day School.
Mr. Kimbrell has been honored with countless awards and honors throughout his lifetime, including: Gaston Gazette's "Person of the Year" in 1990; "Leader of the Year" in 1991 by Textile World; ATMI's prestigious Samuel Slater Award; NCSU's College of Textiles Distinguished Alumnus Award. In 1993, Boy Scouts Silver Beaver Award; an Honorary degree from UNC-Charlotte as a Doctor of Public Service; Cotton Inc.'s Achievement Award; Civitan Club's "Man of the Year" in 1995; NC State University's "Watauga Medal"; Southern Textile Association's "Chapman Award"; and The Cotton Hall of Fame in 1996. In 1997, the NC 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award and Textile World's Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1998, the National Cotton Council "Harry S. Baker Distinguished Service Award" and Boy Scouts Golden Eagle Award. In 2000, featured in Carolina Preserves and honored with the Allen H. Sims Award by the Community Foundation of Gaston County. In 2001, he was named to the North Carolina Business Hall of Fame. In 2002, Rotary Internationals "Paul Harris Fellow" Award and in 2003, the Gaston Chamber of Commerce "Spirit of the Carolinas" Award and also the State of North Carolina's "The Order of the Long Leaf Pine". In 2004, named to the American Textile Hall of Fame, and in 2005 received an Honorary Doctorate from NC State University. In 2006, he was honored with Leadership and Philanthropy Recognition by Gaston Day School.
He was a leader in the best aspects of life and leaves behind a heritage to be admired and emulated.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00PM, Saturday at First Presbyterian Church of Gastonia with Dr. John L. Frye, Jr. and Reverend Lauren Sease Vanacore officiating.
The Henderlite Class, The 1924 Club and The Board of Directors of Parkdale Mills will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.
W. DUKE KIMBRELL, 89, died peacefully at his residence on October 22, 2014.
He was born December 28, 1924, the son of the late Curtis Kimbrell & Carolyn Carter Kimbrell and was a lifelong resident of Gastonia. In addition to his parents, Mr. Kimbrell was preceded in death by his sister Jean K. Hovis. He is survived by his beloved wife, Dot, of 59 years, daughter Pamela K. Warlick and husband Anderson of Gastonia, NC, son W. Duke Kimbrell, Jr. of Langhorne, PA and daughter Shepard K. Halsch and husband Tom of Darien, CT, George Barnett, brother Curtis C. Kimbrell of Sumter, SC, sister Haidee K. Richardson of Gastonia, grandchildren Collins Warlick Byers and husband Fred of Charlotte, Anderson Davis Warlick and wife Annie of Charlotte, and Matthew Carter Halsch, and great-grandchild Everrett Kimbrell Byers.
Mr. Kimbrell graduated from Gastonia High School and knew the hardships of the 1930s, working summers before and during high school. After high school, he joined the Army to fight as a gunner on a B-17 bomber flying out of England. Upon returning from war, Mr. Kimbrell began a part-time job at Parkdale Mills. In 1949, he graduated from N.C. State University and joined Parkdale Mills as a full-time employee where he worked in all phases of the operation.
In 1961, Mr. Kimbrell was named Vice-President and in 1966, named President. In 1967, he became Chairman of the Board. In 1983, the Kimbrell family became joint owners of Parkdale Mills with the Robinson family. Today, Mr. Kimbrell has been ranked the second most influential textile executive in the 20th Century by Textile World Magazine and Parkdale is now the largest manufacturer of spun yarn in the world. Mr. Kimbrell, known as Gastonia's most prominent textile leader, learned from his father that to get ahead you have to work hard, and then work harder. He had a desire and ability to work with people on their level and focused on people instead of things.
Mr. Kimbrell also had a keen desire to give back to his community and was heavily involved in several civic, Church, and other groups by leading with his ideas and helping them become a reality. Throughout his life, he was devoted to helping others and was a leader with the United Way, Gaston Day School, the Boy Scouts, the Schiele Museum, Covenant Village, the Community Foundation, and others.
Mr. Kimbrell was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Gastonia and past chairman of Deacons and Elders along with many other activities. He was the past president of the YMCA, founder and also past president of Gaston Day School.
Mr. Kimbrell has been honored with countless awards and honors throughout his lifetime, including: Gaston Gazette's "Person of the Year" in 1990; "Leader of the Year" in 1991 by Textile World; ATMI's prestigious Samuel Slater Award; NCSU's College of Textiles Distinguished Alumnus Award. In 1993, Boy Scouts Silver Beaver Award; an Honorary degree from UNC-Charlotte as a Doctor of Public Service; Cotton Inc.'s Achievement Award; Civitan Club's "Man of the Year" in 1995; NC State University's "Watauga Medal"; Southern Textile Association's "Chapman Award"; and The Cotton Hall of Fame in 1996. In 1997, the NC 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award and Textile World's Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1998, the National Cotton Council "Harry S. Baker Distinguished Service Award" and Boy Scouts Golden Eagle Award. In 2000, featured in Carolina Preserves and honored with the Allen H. Sims Award by the Community Foundation of Gaston County. In 2001, he was named to the North Carolina Business Hall of Fame. In 2002, Rotary Internationals "Paul Harris Fellow" Award and in 2003, the Gaston Chamber of Commerce "Spirit of the Carolinas" Award and also the State of North Carolina's "The Order of the Long Leaf Pine". In 2004, named to the American Textile Hall of Fame, and in 2005 received an Honorary Doctorate from NC State University. In 2006, he was honored with Leadership and Philanthropy Recognition by Gaston Day School.
He was a leader in the best aspects of life and leaves behind a heritage to be admired and emulated.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00PM, Saturday at First Presbyterian Church of Gastonia with Dr. John L. Frye, Jr. and Reverend Lauren Sease Vanacore officiating.
The Henderlite Class, The 1924 Club and The Board of Directors of Parkdale Mills will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.
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