On November 5, 2025, Walter Anthony (Tony) Kimbrell, of Burlington, NC, finished his race on this earth and stepped into eternity, meeting his Lord and Savior face to face. We can almost see it—Jesus standing at the finish line, arms wide open, saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Tony lived a life of deep faith, steady perseverance, and love for his family. He was a man who worked hard, played hard, and served even harder. Whether it was on a ball field, a mountain trail, or a mission field, Tony poured himself fully into whatever the Lord set before him. Born in Jasper, Alabama, to the late Walter Leon and Effie Mae (Montgomery) Kimbrell, Tony was the third of four sons. The Lord blessed him with natural athletic ability and he spent his elementary and high school years playing a variety of sports, while honing his skills. Tony earned a full 4-year scholarship to The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, where he played both football and baseball. That opportunity changed the entire course of his life. He graduated in 1977 with a B.S. in Business, later earning a master’s degree in Computer Science. Not long after graduating the Citadel, the Lord brought Karen Moran into his life—the love of his life. They married in July 1978 and built a 47 year long marriage marked with 3 beautiful children, deep friendships, an overabundance of ball games, a few moves, job changes, a lot of fun, and the opportunity to serve faithfully in church. Tony spent two decades in the IT field before the Lord redirected his path into leaving the corporate world and becoming his own boss. Through various challenges and setbacks, he never stopped trusting God’s plan. With prayer, great persistence, and hard work, he built Karton Properties, a business that would grow into a family legacy now carried on by his son Chris. He loved the outdoors—the mountains especially—and spent nearly half a century sectionhiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. When cancer prevented him from completing the final stretch, which he did attempt, his son Chris and son-in-law Beau finished the journey in his honor, carrying with them Tony’s spirit of perseverance to make it to end! Tony and Karen’s life together was a living testimony of what it means to walk in step with Christ. They opened their home, their hearts, and their lives to others—hosting missionaries, mentoring friends, and leading mission teams to China, Cambodia, and India. Their final mission trip together took them to Calcutta in 2024, even as Tony continued his battle with cancer. That trip was a God given gift. With his diagnosis came a renewed urgency to live each day with purpose. The Lord brought countless people across his path—doctors, nurses, Uber drivers, and strangers alike—and Tony prayed with them all. His heart’s mission never changed: to know Christ and make Him known. Tony’s legacy is one of persistent faith, joy that endured, and discipline and strength that reached far beyond himself. His life was a reflection of God’s goodness—a reminder that perseverance produces hope, and hope never disappoints. He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Karen (Moran), and their three children: Kathryn (Kimbrell) Evans and husband Beau; Jennifer (Kimbrell) Patterson; and Christopher Anthony Kimbrell and wife Anne. His legacy continues through ten dearly loved grandchildren: Riley, Evan, Andrew, Gray, Caroline, Archer, Cora, Walter, Grant, and Claire. He is also survived by four brothers: Mike (Debbie), Billy (Annette), Joe (Mary), and Eric Stewart. Tony’s family asks for continued prayers as they move forward in life without him, living out the legacy he so faithfully built. They would also like to thank you for your immense love and outpouring of service over the last two years through the immeasurable prayers, cards, calls, hugs, favors, encouragement, presence, shoulders, car rides, plane tickets, rental cars, apartments, hotels, blankets, pictures, DoorDashes, Crumble Cookies, homemade goodies, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, flowers, visits, pecan pie, coleslaw, chicken pie, chicken soup, strawberry milkshakes and so, so, so very much MORE. We cannot account for all the goodness God has shown our family through all of you. THANK YOU! We also want to thank God for Dr. Alton, Tony’s oncologist at MD Anderson. It was by God’s hand that Tony was seen there and placed under the care of such a kind, thoughtful, and gifted physician. Dr. Alton, we were truly blessed to know you, and we continue to pray for you. And, we must say “thank you” to Tina and Dawn, Tony’s hospice nurses. What you do is more than a job—it’s a calling placed by God. It takes rare and special people to serve with such grace, compassion, and strength. Tina and Dawn, you have been His hands and heart to us. You are family now, and we love you deeply.
“… to know Christ, and make Him known.”
In lieu of flowers, donations in Tony’s honor may be made to; the Cambodia Village Outreach. To learn more about this outreach, please visit: www.cambodiavillageoutreach.org. Or to donate directly you my go to: https://donorbox.org/cambodia-village-outreach-3