thedrifter
05-07-08, 07:53 AM
Amanda Marine loved his kids, books
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 3:21 AM
By Mary Beth Lane
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Lance Cpl. James Kimple
A Fairfield County family and hometown community are grieving and preparing to bury Marine Lance Cpl. James F. Kimple, killed in action in Iraq last week.
Kimple, 21, was among four Marines killed in an explosion set off by a roadside bomb Friday, said Lewis Taylor of Taylor Funeral Home in Amanda. The U.S. military has not yet released the details or confirmed the names of those killed.
The married father of three young children was based at Camp Pendleton in California and was on his second tour of duty in Iraq. He leaves behind his wife, Amber, and their two children, Drake J. and Maleah R. Kimple, all of Amanda, and his child Dominic J. Kimple of Carroll.
Family members did not wish to be interviewed yesterday. "Right now, they just want to grieve," Taylor said.
Kimple was remembered fondly by those who knew him at Bloom-Carroll High School, which he attended through December of his senior year. He earned his GED afterward.
"He was a very bright young man, very intellectual. He loved to read," said teacher Jan Hodge, who had him for two years in her Occupational Work Experience course, which provides career-minded students with a taste of working life.
Kimple knew exactly what he wanted: a military career.
"He wanted to get out of school to be in the military, and he chose the Marine Corps. I knew he would be successful," Hodge said.
Kimple came to see his former teacher in November, when he was home on leave. He was dressed handsomely in his uniform and showed her pictures of his children. He was so proud of them.
"He knew he was going back," Hodge said. "He wasn't afraid. The Marine Corps was like a family to him."
Of course, added Hodge, whose nephew is in the Army and did two tours in Iraq, "When you say goodbye, you always wonder."
The news came. "It just takes your breath away. There are no words," the teacher said, choking up.
It is a small community, a small school district.
Bloom-Carroll Superintendent Roger Mace recalled Kimple as one of the brightest students he had met.
"When you saw James in the hall, you always saw him with a novel. He loved to read," the superintendent said. "He always had a smile on his face."
Besides his wife and children, Kimple leaves his mother and stepfather, Cate and John Kimple, and brothers Jovid and Parker Kimple, all of Carroll. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a trust fund established at Fifth Third Bank for the education of his three children.
Calling hours are scheduled from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Taylor Funeral Home at 111 W. Main St. in Amanda.
Additional calling hours start at 11 a.m. Saturday in Bloom-Carroll Middle School's auditorium, where there will be a funeral at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in Greenfield Township Cemetery in Carroll.
mlane@dispatch.com
Ellie
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 3:21 AM
By Mary Beth Lane
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Lance Cpl. James Kimple
A Fairfield County family and hometown community are grieving and preparing to bury Marine Lance Cpl. James F. Kimple, killed in action in Iraq last week.
Kimple, 21, was among four Marines killed in an explosion set off by a roadside bomb Friday, said Lewis Taylor of Taylor Funeral Home in Amanda. The U.S. military has not yet released the details or confirmed the names of those killed.
The married father of three young children was based at Camp Pendleton in California and was on his second tour of duty in Iraq. He leaves behind his wife, Amber, and their two children, Drake J. and Maleah R. Kimple, all of Amanda, and his child Dominic J. Kimple of Carroll.
Family members did not wish to be interviewed yesterday. "Right now, they just want to grieve," Taylor said.
Kimple was remembered fondly by those who knew him at Bloom-Carroll High School, which he attended through December of his senior year. He earned his GED afterward.
"He was a very bright young man, very intellectual. He loved to read," said teacher Jan Hodge, who had him for two years in her Occupational Work Experience course, which provides career-minded students with a taste of working life.
Kimple knew exactly what he wanted: a military career.
"He wanted to get out of school to be in the military, and he chose the Marine Corps. I knew he would be successful," Hodge said.
Kimple came to see his former teacher in November, when he was home on leave. He was dressed handsomely in his uniform and showed her pictures of his children. He was so proud of them.
"He knew he was going back," Hodge said. "He wasn't afraid. The Marine Corps was like a family to him."
Of course, added Hodge, whose nephew is in the Army and did two tours in Iraq, "When you say goodbye, you always wonder."
The news came. "It just takes your breath away. There are no words," the teacher said, choking up.
It is a small community, a small school district.
Bloom-Carroll Superintendent Roger Mace recalled Kimple as one of the brightest students he had met.
"When you saw James in the hall, you always saw him with a novel. He loved to read," the superintendent said. "He always had a smile on his face."
Besides his wife and children, Kimple leaves his mother and stepfather, Cate and John Kimple, and brothers Jovid and Parker Kimple, all of Carroll. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a trust fund established at Fifth Third Bank for the education of his three children.
Calling hours are scheduled from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Taylor Funeral Home at 111 W. Main St. in Amanda.
Additional calling hours start at 11 a.m. Saturday in Bloom-Carroll Middle School's auditorium, where there will be a funeral at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in Greenfield Township Cemetery in Carroll.
mlane@dispatch.com
Ellie