George Lauson Kimball

George Lauson Kimball, 81, passed away peacefully at home November 27, 2024. He
was born May 25, 1943, in Portland, ME, son of Marjorie (Goodale) and William Hervey
Kimball. The family moved to North Waterford, ME in 1948 where he attended Waterford
schools and graduated from Norway High School in 1961. He then attended the
University of Maine Orono, graduating in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in chemical
engineering, followed by a Pulp and Paper Certificate and an MBA the following year.
While at Orono, George pledged Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, forging lifelong bonds and
remaining a loyal supporter. 
In 1966, George married Linda A. Morancy of Saco, ME at the congregational church in
Saco. They moved to Rumford, ME, where George spent the majority of his career as a
manager in the Oxford Paper Company Rumford mill (later owned by Ethyl Corp and
Boise Cascade and acquired by Mead Corporation in 1996). With the exception of a
short stint in Dayton, OH, George lived his entire life in Maine. He was dedicated to his
work but balanced this with dedication to family. He was an adoring husband throughout
his 58-year marriage to Linda, and a devoted father to his three children. Family was
paramount to George, from his sustained connection with his extended family of origin
through his close relationships with his three grandchildren.
His character and personality were developed early in North Waterford by his parents’
strong work ethic, community service, and rural subsistence living conditions. Nothing
was ever wasted or thrown away. As the oldest of nine children, George learned
leadership skills at an early age. High school provided opportunities that launched him
into the wider world, or at least the wider state. The result: a self-sufficient,
compassionate, and frugal adult.
Faith played a central role in George’s life. A member and deacon at the Mexico
Congregational “Green” Church for over 40 years, he also served the Maine
Conference, United Church of Christ at the local, regional, and state level. He will be
remembered by many Rumford/Mexico residents as the cider-presser-in-chief for the
apple cider production at the annual “Christmas at the Green” holiday fair every
November. Upon relocating to Gray, he and Linda joined the Windham Hill United
Church of Christ congregation, where he continued to practice his faith and contribute
his time.
During his working life, George had many interests and hobbies. For several years, he
and Linda participated in a bridge club with other area couples and took a turn at square
dancing for a time. He was an avid stamp collector and enjoyed fishing for brookies and
smelting, even if he came home empty-handed. He was committed to recycling, long
before it was fashionable. He spent more time outside than in, gardening, making maple
syrup, and puttering in the yard. A member of the Rumford Kiwanis Club and later the
Freemasons at Rumford’s Blazing Star Lodge, he became a Master Mason in 1993,
embodying his belief in community service.
After 40 plus years in the paper industry, retirement didn’t slow George down. He
continued to generously share his time and talents in a variety of capacities, including
counseling business owners through SCORE, volunteering with the Chisholm Ski Club
at Black Mountain, and routinely helping neighbors in need without judgement. Although
he and Linda purchased a home in Gray in 2012, he spent several years commuting to
maintain his volunteer commitments in Rumford.
His  benevolence was seemingly limitless. George donated financially to humanitarian
organizations locally and worldwide. He was known in his community as someone who
would support anyone in need.  Need a ride to an appointment or event? No problem.
No money to buy groceries or Christmas presents? He would help.
George never met a stranger. Ever the extrovert, he could start a conversation with
anyone and find a connection within minutes, whether across the street or across the
world. His warmth and sense of humor drew people to him. He didn’t invent the “Dad
joke” but he was well versed in the art form and his penchant for puns lives on in his
children.
George was predeceased by his wife, Linda Ann (Morancy) Kimball, father William
Hervey Kimball, mother Marjorie Shirley (Goodale) Kimball, brother James Kimball and
sister Margaret (Kimball) Cyr.
George is survived by his children, Jean Kimball and her husband Brian Woodring of
Westbrook, ME; Steven Kimball and his wife Lurinda of Bangor, ME; and Susan Kimball
and her husband David Hamilton of Amherst, MA. He is also survived by grandchildren
Parker Kimball and his partner Nellie Bush, Brady Hamilton, and Laura Hamilton,
siblings John and Michele Kimball of Norway, Bill and Peggy Kimball of Bangor, Barbara
and Stephen Riggott of South Paris, Don Kimball and Sandy Melidones of Bangor,
Wayne and Wanda Kimball of Water Valley, MS, Gail Stetson and Dan Franz of
Bridgton, Jim Cyr of Westbrook as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. 
A celebration of life will be held at Windham Hill United Church of Christ at 2:00 PM on
Saturday, January 11th.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Windham Hill United Church of Christ 
140 Windham Center Rd, Windham, ME 04062
or
Mexico Congregational Church UCC
163 Main St, Mexico, ME 04257

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of George Lauson Kimball, please visit our floral store.