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H. Kimber Walker

1946-2015

H. Kimber Walker
Harley Kimber Walker, known to everyone as Kimber, was born on January 31, 1946 in Chester Grant. The late Carroll and Rena Walker raised Kimber, along with his older sister Pat and younger brother Bobby and they remained in the Chester Grant area as a family for many years. Bobby moved away for work but has since returned to the area, and Pat and her family still reside there to this day.

Kimber was a fighter from the day he was born, he overcame a serious asthma condition in infancy that nearly took his life. As Kimber and his siblings grew up, he became the protective brother, he would often stand up for his sister or brother even if it meant taking one to the chin.

Kimber attended grade school until grade 8 when he made the decision to quit school and seek full time employment. Although he was exceptional at math and a very smart, quick witted man, he still decided to pursue various employment opportunities, even at such a young age.

Kimber met Elaine Young in 1964, and they became instantly inseparable. They were married August 28, 1971, and would have celebrated 44 amazing, wonderful years together this August. They had an unconditional love for each other that was evident to anyone that knew them. They celebrated the birth of their only child, John Carroll Walker in 1973. Kimber was an amazing father, he was very proud of his son and they spent time as a family enjoying Sunday drives, fishing, hunting, and working the family garden and Christmas tree farm. Kimber enjoyed watching John participate in sports, although he never considered himself an athlete. The family loved spending time together going to parades, fireworks shows, festivals and the like.

In the early years of Kimber’s adult life, he enjoyed many different types of work, including tying steel, driving trucks and working in the woods. Unfortunately, one day while tying steel, Kimber suffered a catastrophic back injury, crushing 6 discs in his back, this injury required surgery and left him with a lifelong debilitation, it also forced him to seek alternative work. He pursued trucking and within short, found he had a passion for it. He LOVED driving trucks, any truck, logging, gravel or cement, it didn’t matter. He spent 25 years with South Shore Ready Mix and almost as many on the infamous Truck #24. He even drove a school bus part-time at one point in his life. He was an extremely hard working and dedicated employee and over the years this lifestyle took its toll on his body. Kimber endured many surgeries to repair a shoulder, replace hips, and a heart surgery to implant a pacemaker and defibrillator among other things.

His dedication and work ethic never waivered through those tough years, as he always provided for his family. This was very important to him. He had a stubbornness about him that had him making decisions to quit smoking when a carton of cigarettes increased in price by a mere nickel. His stubbornness also had him accepting silly challenges, he could even become a great dancer (after a few drinks of course). He had a love of nature and life in general, and loved telling stories and tales to whomever would listen.

When John left home and moved out to BC, Kimber and Elaine travelled out to visit many times, they loved driving through the Rockies and spending time with John and his new family, Stephanie and her daughter Alex. Kimber and Elaine embraced Stephanie and Alex into their lives and treated Alex as their own granddaughter. Alex has since had her own son, Cory. Kimber adored his great grandson Cory, even before meeting him. Kimber and Elaine were able to travel to BC this past October and Kimber and Elaine had such a wonderful visit with John, Stephanie, Alex and Cory.

Kimber was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in May of 2014. This was not the first time he was told by doctors that he would not survive an illness. On two other occasions Kimber overcame life-threatening illnesses. The family was hopeful that the doctors were mistaken again, but after a year, the cancer had taken its toll. Kimbers battle ended in the early hours of June 1, 2015, in his own home surrounded by his loving family. He fought hard until the very end, some of his stubbornness was surely a factor.

Kimber was a selfless man who would give the shirt off his back to someone in need. He made lifelong friendships with many people and was always there for a friend or even a stranger. He really enjoyed being surrounded by his beloved dogs, and Barney and Mandy are going to miss him terribly. He will be missed but never forgotten by his loving wife Elaine and son John and all of his family and his wonderful friends.

Those who knew Kimber probably can’t go to Tim Horton’s or watch Nascar or see a cement truck without reminiscing about Kimber, and he would get a kick out of that. He will remain in our hearts forever. He was loved dearly and will be missed by all. The family appreciates all of you for attending today and sharing these moments together in Kimbers memory.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada (braintumour.ca) or the Nova Scotia Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Love you Kimber (Dad)

Visitation will be held 7-9 pm Thursday, June 4 at Mahone Funeral Home, Mahone Bay. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, June 5 at St. James Anglican Church, Mahone Bay.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Mahone Funeral Home, P.O. Box 200, 32 Parish St., Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0 Tel. 902-624-8241. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.mahonefuneral.ca



MAHONE FUNERAL HOME

"Founded in 1883 - Serving Families of Lunenburg County for 132 years."
Service Date
Friday, June 5, 2015