On Monday, May 13, 2024, David Kimble escaped this earth and embarked on his greatest journey ever. His earthly story began in Glendale, California, on February 22, 1944, when he was born to Austin and Mildred Kimble. He lived in Southern California for 25 years, attending public and private schools, followed by courses at Pasadena College of the Nazarene Art Center and the Academy of Technical Arts L.A. A mechanical engineer by default, he followed his studies with designing a race car that qualified to start the Indianapolis 500 in 1963.
David loved things that went fast and made noise, and he combined that love with his passion for art, producing cutaway drawings and paintings of automobiles. This grew into anything mechanical, from sleek racing cars to airplanes, cruise ships and farm machinery. Through the years, he developed his own style with the airbrush and became known throughout the world as the best automotive illustrator of the 20th and 21st centuries. In response to constant questions about how he managed to produce such intricate and precise illustrations that still presented as quality fine art, David was soon teaching classes and ultimately authored and illustrated a number of books about his work and technique.
Just about every automotive manufacturer in Europe and America was clamoring for their own Kimble cutaway, as well as in England and Japan. This started David on a series of world travels that lasted until the end of the century. He retired just a couple of years ago and was working on yet another book at the time of his passing.
David married Ellen Nicholson in 1969 in California, and they have one son, Jason A. Kimble, of Indianapolis, Indiana.
Later in life, David became a motorcycle racer at an age when most normal people would start to slow down. Then when he gave up racing and moved to Marfa, he began collecting machine guns, once again things that go fast and make noise.
David is survived by his wife and son. They wish to thank the friends who have called and given help and support. Also, to all the doctors, nurses and others at Big Bend Regional Medical Clinic in Alpine, and at Medical Center Hospital of Odessa, as well as the Texas Texas Cancer Center — a giant thank you for making his illness and subsequent exit comfortable and uncomplicated.
Finally, we wish to recognize Marfa EMS and the people of West Texas Gifts of Hope, and that there aren’t words nearly adequate to thank you all for holding us together throughout the past two years. We couldn’t have made it otherwise.
There will be an informal memorial gathering at a time and place to be determined later. Mobile Mortician of Texas has been entrusted with arrangements. Thank you, James!