Obituary of Charles Kimmel

Charles William Kimmel, Jr., known as Kimmy in his younger years and as Chuck as an adult, was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and brother, and a loyal friend. He was born in Hopkinsville, KY, on September 30, 1954. He spent most of his childhood in Frankfort, KY, and graduated from Franklin County High School (FCHS) in 1972. He met the love of his life, Patty, through friends in the neighborhood in 1971, and they married in 1978. At FCHS, Chuck’s role as manager with the athletic teams sparked a thrill of being on the sidelines and ignited a passion for supporting athletes. His love of athletics led him to The University of Kentucky, where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Education, and began his professional career in athletic training. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from East Tennessee State University in 1978. Following his completion of schooling, he worked at ETSU for three years, then took a position as the Head Athletic Trainer at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN, in 1981. He would go on to also serve as an Assistant Athletic Director at Austin Peay. In January 2007, Chuck retired from Austin Peay and accepted a job at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, as the Director of the Student Health Services’ Injury Clinic. He and Patty relocated to Mountain City, TN, in 2007, and lived there until 2021 when they relocated to the more urban Johnson City, TN. During his long career as an athletic trainer, he served in several leadership roles in athletic training associations, including the Tennessee Athletic Trainers’ Society (TATS), the Southeastern Athletic Trainers’ Association (SEATA) and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). While serving as President of the NATA, he was instrumental in forming a political action committee to work towards advancing legislation nationwide that advances the profession of athletic training. He was also passionate about supporting the development of young athletic training professionals and would often say, “we plant a tree knowing that we will not sit in its shade.” The profession of athletic training brought Chuck true joy, and he enjoyed volunteering at conference tournaments, the Bluegrass State games, and even the USA Olympic Training Camp. He was a member of the Franklin County High School Athletic Hall of Fame, the Austin Peay Athletic Hall of Fame, the NATA Hall of Fame, the TATS Hall of Fame, the SEATA Hall of Fame, and the Ohio Valley Conference Athletic Hall of Fame. Chuck was raised in the Baptist church but joined the Catholic Church on Easter in 1998. His motto for the past several years of his life was God + Science = Hope. He loved his faith, family, friends, athletic trainers, and people who solve problems, not find them. He also loved the many dogs he shared his life with, reading, spending time outside, listening to bluegrass and 70s music, walking, and traveling. He felt fortunate to have been able to travel all over the world. Chuck and his family are grateful for the various doctors and healthcare staff who helped treat and support him throughout the past two and one-half years. He is preceded in death by his mother, Roberta Smith Kimmel, his Father, Charles William Kimmel, Sr., and his sister Nancy Robin Kimmel. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Hodge Kimmel, his sister, Karen Kimmel Hatter (Russell Hatter), his children, Chad Kimmel (Casey Kimmel), Meredith Hamsher (Lyle Hamsher) and Adam Kimmel, and his nine grandchildren, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation will be held at Rogers Funeral Home from 1:00 to 3:00 pm Sunday, March 24th, with a Life Celebration Service beginning at 3:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held in the Good Shepherd Catholic Church at 10:00 am Monday, March 25th. Donations can be made in Chuck’s name to the NATA Political Action Committee at natapac.org/how-to-contribute or the V Foundation at V.org/donate.