OBITUARY: Thomas Kinkaid Kimmel, Jr., 75, Passes Away Peacefully Oct. 23 in Cocoa Beach

died of cancer with his family at his side

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA – Thomas Kinkaid Kimmel, Jr., 75, a former Naval Officer and a retired Special Agent for the FBI, died of cancer on October 23, 2019, peacefully at his home in Cocoa Beach, Florida with his family at his side.

A 1966 Graduate of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Kimmel served on multiple warships during the Vietnam War, including the USS Taussig, USS Bordelon and USS Manitowoc. Kimmel separated from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander in 1971.

After attending John Marshall Law School, Kimmel joined the FBI where he served more than 25 years working on criminal and espionage matters and investigating major spy scandals in the Cleveland, Dallas and Philadelphia offices as well as at CIA and FBI Headquarters.

Lieutenant Commander Kimmel was the eldest grandson of the late Rear Admiral Husband E. Kimmel who was the commander of the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked on December 7, 1941.

After retirement, Kimmel passionately worked to restore the honor of his grandfather, who was blamed for the success of the Japanese attack and manipulated into retirement.

The struggle continues today, and more information regarding Tom’s efforts can be found online.

Kimmel was preceded in death by his first wife Kathryn Lewis Kimmel.

Survivors include his wife Judith of Cocoa Beach; three children Thomas III, Cassin, and John; two step-children, Ryan and Jillian; his siblings Virginia, Husband II, and William; and thirteen grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 2 at 2 p.m. at Beckman Williamson Funeral Home in Cocoa Beach, Florida. A private burial ceremony will be held at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Kimmel requested that donations be made to charities of your choice.

You may sign Mr. Kimmel’s guestbook HERE.

Similar Stories