Gary Alan Kimmel

GARY ALAN KIMMEL

Quietly passed away in Lake St. Louis, MO on Sunday, November 9th, 2025. He was born March 23, 1939 in Wichita, Kansas to Helen Haskell Kimmel and Albert E. Kimmel, both long-time residents of Sacramento, CA.

He has been the loving husband to his wife Jill Anne for 55 years and they resided with their family for many years in Fair Oaks, CA.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and brother Richard Lee Kimmel and son-in law, Richard Davies. He will be missed by a large and loving family; son Brian and wife Wendy Kimmel and their children Taylor and Cody of Lake St. Louis, MO; daughter Kristi Kimmel and husband Dirk Hardt of Cuba, MO; daughter Julie Davies of Auburn, CA and children Trevor Davies and wife Jenna of Hattiesburg, MS; Laurel Gipner and husband Scott of Auburn, CA; daughter Karen Freeman and husband Andy and their children Natalie and Daniel of Sacramento, CA; and son Michael and wife Julie and their daughters Chloe and Emily of Roseville, CA. Gary is also survived by his brother Jack Kimmel of Sacramento, CA.

Kimmel Construction was founded by his father Albert Kimmel in 1943, which was expanded several decades later to include Kimmel Developers and Kimmel Property Management Company, two commercial real estate businesses established by his son Gary. Gary also developed over 20 retail shopping centers in the greater Phoenix area. Kimmel Construction is now led by Gary’s son Michael.

Gary was a very active community member serving in organizations such as downtown Sacramento Rotary, past president of The Executive Club, Sacramento State University Alumni Association, Salvation Army board, Sheriffs Air Squadron and various other organizations.

Gary’s greatest joy was flying private airplanes, which he did from1976 until 2013. He flew various aircraft all over North America and spent 15 years building his own experimental RV6 aircraft with his son Michael. He was a member of The Quiet Birds, Auburn chapter. For many years he also enjoyed the coastal waters on his sailboat in San Francisco Bay with family and friends. In addition to sailing, Gary loved motorcycling with a group called the Rolex Riders. They rode to Sturgis twice, toured all the western states and up the Pacific coast to Canda.

Gary and his wife Jill loved to travel and lived in other countries, staying for several years in Cuenca, Ecuador and Ajijic, Mexico.

A small family gathering will take place to honor Gary “Papa” Kimmel in Lake St. Louis, MO on November 22, 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to his favorite charity - woundedwarriorproject.org.