Larry Allen Kimmitt Sr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Larry Allen Kimmitt Sr. was born on December 23rd 1943 to Dale and Pauline Kimmitt in Danville, Illinois. He went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 9, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Gerry (“GC”) his son, Allen, granddaughter, Victoria, his sister, Donna Jean Thorlton, and brothers Jim and Ralph Kimmitt. Larry is predeceased by his brother Donald Earl Kimmitt. Shortly after high school graduation, he married Vicki Jean Anderson. His most proud moment was the birth of his son, Allen. Larry and his family relocated to Ft. Lauderdale. He later moved to St. Petersburg where he met and married the love of his life GC in 1976. Larry loved playing golf, especially with GC, Allen, Jim and Ralph, and was a proud member of the Hole-in-One Club. He also enjoyed many hours of basketball with Allen, starting out letting Allen win, and then before long, giving it all he had to keep from losing. He worked as a manufacturing manager for most of his career, including over 9 years in the manufacture of intraocular lenses, when he hired Grace Huggins who became a life-long friend to both him and GC. He later met Susan Kohler who hired him as Customer Support Operations Manager for Edix Medical Transcription, who also became a life-long friend. These 2 special women are more than friends, they are here today as family. Larry wanted everyone to know that he was grateful for his life that was filled with loyal, special friends, but most importantly that his brothers and sister understood the true meaning of family and that his son taught him that the love and friendship shared between a father and his son is a bond so special that it will never fade away. He cherished the unbreakable bond he had with his precious granddaughter,Victoria, who he lovingly referred to as “the munchkin”. She was such a blessing in his life and he adored his role as her Grandpa. GC was his loving wife and his very best friend. They recently celebrated their 44th anniversary on May 22nd. There was never a day that he didn't feel the love that they had for each other. Her unwavering loyalty coupled with her tireless caring for him he felt was the most coveted gift that God gives us in life. The following are comments from his family and closest friends: Son, Allen: My Father was my everything: best friend, head cheerleader, life advisor and at times, therapist. I feel extremely blessed to have so many great memories with him, so it is hard to choose just a few. One of my earliest memories, was at six, playing football with kids older than me, and getting crushed every time I ran the ball. Dad came out and told me to follow him and do not break past him until I was sure I could score. I scored and learned the value of a blocker. Ultimately, basketball became the source of many of our shared memories, whether one on one matches, pick-up games with family in Lake Placid or in City League games with Dad as both player and coach. Then there was spending time on the golf course, driving carts, eating hotdogs, lots of laughs and learning how to control extreme frustration. Over the past few years of Dad's life, we shared Saturday luncheons at El Cap, our favorite burger joint. It was almost like Cheers, everyone knew our name. Some Saturdays we would extend our time going to Tommy Bahama's or elsewhere, I enjoyed these times and appreciated the conversations. I think the memories I enjoyed the most were the simple phone calls that said, just checking in. Granddaughter, Victoria: My grandpa was my best friend, builder, and supporter. There are so many memories with him that I will forever cherish. I am extremely blessed to have had such an amazing grandpa. When I was little, we would drive up to the Save a’ Step and get scratch off tickets. He always got me an extra one and said I was lucky for usually winning him 2 dollars. I loved the little outings we would go on, whether it was for ice cream, the playground, yard sales or even to play golf, I cherished every minute. As I got older and joined the swim team, he would drive me and my friends to our swim meet, I told my friends that if I ever needed help that I would call him. Years later he told me how happy that made him, we laughed. No matter the event he was always there smiling from ear to ear with the catchphrase “ya did good kid!” and cheering me on. As I got older that stayed true, if I wanted to go shopping with someone, I’d call him, if I wanted to sit and chat, I’d call him; he was always there. I would even join him and dad at El Caps...if I woke up before noon, hah. My favorite lunch with Grandpa was at 2nd and second, we had a lot of laughs that day, especially when I ordered waaay too much food and he nearly fell out of the booth laughing, even took a few pictures. But the most impressionable memory was him calling to check in asking “what chu doin’?” I am extremely blessed to have such an amazing grandpa that taught me so much and loved much more. Brother, Jim: Larry was larger than life. If you were in trouble, he was always there. He was dependable, loyal, irreplaceable, and kind. Some of my favorite memories are when we played golf at Torre Pines in California, attended the Masters' Tournament, and our trip to Washington DC. Most of all was when he took care of me when I needed him. Brother, Ralph: My brother Larry was one of the most caring, compassionate persons you could ever meet. It wasn't all about the fun we had together growing up that made him so special. It was that he gave 100% of himself to people that he loved. He took care of his brother Jim when he had cancer. He would always remember eveyone's birthdays. For me especially, he was always just a phone call away. Larry, who was 13 months older than me, was not just my brother, he was my best friend. I'm going to miss talking to him a million times a day about the same thing over and over, but that was enough for us. I love and will miss you brother. Sister, Donna Jean: Larry was very special and was the peacemaker of the family. His laughter was addicting. He loved everybody. Every Christmas he would ask when am I getting my peanut butter fudge. I remember when he would visit, before leaving, he would always give me a big hug and kiss and say you're the best sister I ever had, take care of yourself, kid! We were blessed. Love you Larry and miss you already. Friend, Grace: I met Larry and GC in 1979 when he hired me as the first management employee at Coburn Optical. A special memory at that time was when I asked him what he wanted for Christmas. He wanted a bicycle, so I found a little bicycle that we gave him and then really surprised him with a real bicycle. The little bicycle was a tradition for him every Christmas placed under their tree. For 41 years we exchanged fudge and peanut butter cookies. He loved my fudge. We stayed in touch over the years even when I had moved to Tennessee I still sent him his fudge. More recently when he would ride to Publix with GC he would stay in the car and call me to talk and to see if I was okay. He and GC have always been special to me. They both will always be in my heart. Friend, Susan: Larry was a special and thoughtful man. He never judged people and accepted people for who they were. I think about how he took in and cared for Uncle Bill. He also supported me through my ups and downs in life. We almost never missed talking to each other every weekend. Every holiday and birthday was another opportunity to talk to each other, even if I lived hundreds of miles away. I will never forget our lunches at our favorite places like Woody's Waterfront and other places in Downtown St Petersburg. Let's not forget his desire for a fish sandwich or chicken tenders, hold the garden, with extra mayo on the side! And nothing was more exciting than opening day when the Rays played his favorite team the NY Yankees. I will miss my best friend. My weekend conversations will be missed, but I will never ever forget this man. He made such an impression not only in his life with GC, but his family and everyone's life he touched. GC - thank you for sharing Larry with me. My life was so much better because of him. Love you!! Wife, Gerry shared a story as an example of Larry's dignity, honesty, and integrity as a man of God. Several years ago Larry was at Target on Christmas Eve when he found a wallet in the men's restroom. When he told her about it she asked him if there was any money in it. He said, “I don't know, I didn't look”. That was the man God blessed her with for over 44 years for which she will be forever grateful. As Larry became aware that his physical life would soon end, he told her that he was afraid. She was able to comfort him with a Scripture from the Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:8 that encourages all believers, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Larry was her life and the most amazing husband and the best friend she could every have. She will draw strength in the years to come through her favorite Scripture: Isaiah 58:9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say, here I AM. Her life without him will be comforted by all the wonderful memories they made together and her knowing that the Lord will keep her. Even though cancer was victorious in taking his physical body, he has the ultimate victory in his spiritual body with eternal life through his faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ. We as believers have confidence in our eternal home from John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 14:2-3: In My Father's house there are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go a prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself; there where I am, there you may be also. Service was held by my very dear friend and sister in Christ, Julie Songster Thank you, Julie, you are my angel. The following are verses GC wrote to him in a card for their 40th Anniversary: I Love You For Still Loving Me If life's a game, then we've surely won In the 40 years that have come and gone The memories we've made hold more laughter than tears And I pray God gives us 40 more years When most give up then start over Those hard times brought us even closer I want you to know just how much you're adored And I pray God gives me 40 more But we don't know what tomorrow will bring Each day's a gift for us to receive After all these years you're still my everything And I love you for still loving me When I think of our love, I thank God up above He's blessed us in so many ways I cherish each day when I hear you say Did I tell you I love you today? - I love you today But we don't know what tomorrow will bring Each day's a gift for us to receive After all these years you're still my everything And I love you for still loving me You're my life, you're my everything And I love you for still loving me

Larry Allen Kimmitt Sr.

December 23, 1943 - June 9, 2020