Tony Lee Kimball September 21, 1961 - November 12, 2023

Kennewick, Washington - You ever hear the tale about the man who caught a fish the size of a car? That man was Tony Kimball. The only comfort found in this devastating & unexpected loss goes to the fish up at Potholes who no longer fear falling trap to Tony’s trusted lure. Tony was born on a Tuesday in Logan, Utah to Lee & Josephine (Miera) Kimball. Tony always looked up to his big brother Jerry, looked out for his baby sister Robin, and his heart always belonged to his mom. He was a sweet boy growing up, with a bit of a wild side. He once tricked his Grandma Candy into eating frog legs after convincing her they were chicken. Tony loved to run around with his cousins and play pranks on his aunties. In 1978, his family moved to Washington State. There he graduated from Kennewick High School, class of 1980. Tony worked a few different jobs after high school. His first job was at Ruff’s Giant Burgers and he never forgot their jingle. Jobs to follow were a car dealership, Safeway & crossing the picket line. In 1983 he married Erin Dombek and the following year in 1984 they welcomed their first baby girl Candi Jo. They would move to Moses Lake where Tony would get a job working at a Dairy farm. Eleven months later in 1985, they had their second baby girl, Erin Elizabeth. Shortly after, Tony got a job working alongside his brother in Prudhoe Bay. In 1988, Tony & Erin would complete their family with their 3rd daughter, Shannon Leigh. In 1989, Tony would start his lifelong career, following in his dad’s footsteps by joining the Local Union 598 pipefitters. This would eventually prompt their permanent move to the Tri-cities. Tony was an avid Pheasant hunter and competed in Bass fishing tournaments all over Washington State, with Potholes being his favorite. Tony & his fishing partner Donny would place 1st in WA state as well as in the top 3 several years. Between tournaments, you could find him on the water, all 3 daughters in tow, raspberry powdered donuts, teaching his girls all of his fishing secrets until it started to get dark. In 1999, his life took a drastic turn. Tony was part of an incident at work that permanently altered his health. His marriage also ended. Even with all that holding him down, he managed to pick himself up and get back on the saddle. Literally. Tony purchased a Harley Davidson and felt the wind in his hair, going to bike week in Sturgis for several years. He also took the trip of his lifetime, renting bikes and riding the coastline of New Zealand, sleeping in a tent every night. Tony loved to take fishing trips up in Alaska. In 2010, the best chapter of his life started. Tony got his first grandboys, who would be his best friends for the rest of his life. Being a grandpa was what made Tony’s heart beat. He was the absolute best grandpa in the world. His grandkids meant everything to him. He would do anything to make any of his grandkids happy. Tony loved his daughters with everything he had, and yet they were chopped liver compared to his grandkids. Tony had unlimited patience, understanding and so much love for his grandbabies. Sneaking their first taste of chocolate was a rite of passage. Retiring in 2021, Tony found a home up at Potholes where he would spend as much time as he could, welcoming anyone who wanted to have a “bombfire”, roast some s’mores and go fishing. Tony is preceded in death by his father Lee Kimball, his grandparents on both sides, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was survived by: his mother Josephine Kimball, brother Jerry Kimball, and sister Robin (Jake) King; Daughters: Candi Kimball, Erin (Marcus) Vasquez, and Shannon Kimball. Grandkids: Alivia, Kail, Atticus, Gage, Golden, Cove, Sienna & Ettaleigh. Numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, a nephew, and countless friends. Tony was good company. He had the biggest heart and was always there for everyone. The world lost an incredible soul, but the man, the myth, the legend, Toe-knee, will live on forever in our stories. Come celebrate Tony’s life at the Gesa Carousel of Dreams in Kennewick from 5:30-8:30 pm on Saturday, April 27th.