Edwin Norman Kimball

Edwin Norman Kimball passed away peacefully on October 27, 2025, with his wife, Christa Anderson, by his side. He was born in Murray, Utah, on March 20, 1931, to Edwin and Althea Ashby Kimball. Born prematurely at only 4 pounds 11 ounces, Ed began life with a resilient spirit that carried him through nine remarkable decades.

From an early age, Ed was curious and inventive. From chemistry sets to backyard forts to homemade explosives, he was a builder and tinkerer from the start. At the age of 12, he served as an assistant air raid warden during World War II on Coronado Island. His job was to direct neighbors to safety and ensure all lights were out during wartime air raids.

Ed attended Brigham Young University High School, where he was involved in sports and student government. Ever energetic, he worked many jobs, from mending circus tents to working as a roller rink bouncer. His natural athleticism and love of skating earned him several awards for skating backward faster than anyone else. Ed also worked on the search and rescue team on Mount Timpanogas.

Ed met his wife, Carolyn, at a college dance class. They married in June of 1954. Together, they had five sons and one daughter. He built their homes and was an incredible science teacher to his kids, building RC airplanes, teaching rocketry, and building their first family color TV.

Ed served in the Korean War as a platoon radio operator and spent time in Japan. Upon returning home, he attended Brigham Young University, majoring in Physics and minoring in Mathematics, with advanced studies in atomic, nuclear, and optical physics.

He went on to work for the Sperry Rand Corporation as principal physicist and assistant to the director of research, contributing to projects involving optical character recognition, radar, aircraft guidance systems, and missile development. He received honorary recognition from the University of California Jet Propulsion Laboratories in Pasadena. Over his career, he held 214 patents and disclosures, a testament to his genius and lifelong curiosity.

After leaving research, Ed worked as a general contractor for more than 25 years. He first went into business with his brother-in-law, Gary Worthington, and later founded KimTro, Inc., a construction company that built new churches across the Western United States for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His craftsmanship and creativity are also remembered through his work on the Heber C. Kimball home at This Is the Place Heritage Park, a lasting tribute to his heritage. Ed was also honored to contribute to the restoration of the Cove Fort historic site.

A man of many talents, Ed also loved travel, water sports, photography, and cooking. Whether he was driving the houseboat on Lake Powell or racing snowmobiles in Colorado, he enjoyed spending time with his family. He owned The Italian Courtyard restaurant in Sandy, Utah, where guests raved about his focaccia bread, muffulettas, and chicken pesto.

He served in many church callings, including Elders Quorum President, Ward Superintendent, Stake Mission Secretary, and as a Sunday School teacher at the Utah State Prison.

In 2012, Ed married Christa Anderson, and together they began their winter chapter of life. They loved traveling side by side and sharing new experiences, whether it was cruising or camping. Ed enjoyed sharing his wide-ranging knowledge, while Christa helped him grow closer to his Savior, Jesus Christ. They found great joy serving together in the Draper Utah Temple and looked forward to their nightly 9 p.m. scripture study date.

Ed is survived by his wife, Christa Anderson; his children: Alvin (Connie) Kimball, Cindy Kimball, Steve (Wendy) Kimball, Kenneth (Tanja) Radulovic Kimball, Brent (Erika) Kimball; his stepchildren: Cynthia (Richard) Smith, Steven (Diane) Anderson, Kristin (Derek) Yeager; 42 grandchildren, and 76 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Colleen (Gary) Worthington and Elaine Kimball.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Watkins Kimball, and his son, Larry Kimball. He was also preceded by his parents, Edwin and Althea Kimball; his siblings, David Kimball and Linda Kimball Runyan; and two grandchildren, Braden Kimball Trost and Ryan Bilanzich.

Visitation time with the family will be held on Saturday, November 8, at the Lone Peak Stake Center at 11570 Wasatch Boulevard in Sandy, Utah, from 10 am to 11:30 am. Following the family prayer, funeral services will begin at 12 pm. The interment and grave dedication will follow at the Murray City Cemetery.

Ed’s life was filled with ingenuity and an unending thirst for knowledge. His family and friends will remember him for his brilliance, his curiosity, and his incredible gift for storytelling.

The funeral services will be streamed live at:
https://evt.live/edwin-kimball