Frederick "Fred" Buie Kimes

Frederick Buie "Fred" Kimes, 85, of Concord, died Monday, January 25, 2021 at his residence.

Graveside Services, 3:00 PM, Saturday, January 30, 2021, at Sunset Knoll Cemetery, Ramseur.

Fred was born in Franklinville, NC on March 17, 1935 to the late Wincie Buie and Clarence Redding Kimes.  He grew up in nearby Cedar Falls and graduated high school in 1954 from Franklinville High School, where he met Martha Hicks of Ramseur, NC.   After graduating, Fred married Martha who he called “the love of my life and best friend.”  Their marriage of 66 years was one of fun, love and happiness.  

Fred left Ramseur with an eye on a career in sales in 1962.  As anyone who ever met him can attest, Fred never met a stranger.  Fred’s sales career saw the family living in different states, settling in New Hampshire in 1977. After multiple positions of increasing responsibility with Bristol Myers, lasting over 20 years, he retired for a short time and then returned to take on the role of National Sales Manager for Hogil Pharmaceuticals, retiring for good in 2004.  Throughout his career, Fred told stories of the hundreds of “young people” he recruited and trained.  Fred always said training people to be successful, next to his family, was his source of greatest pride.
 
Away from work, Fred was involved in various youth organizations, spending four years as a pop warner football coach; two years as a little league baseball coach; and his biggest accomplishment implementing the “stats” for the newly formed Londonderry High School football program. He was also involved in his children’s PTO, and many Booster Clubs.  For his efforts with the high school football program he was inducted into the Londonderry High School Hall of Fame in 1986.  Fred was also a member of the Jaycees and the Lion Club International Foundation.  Upon retiring from the Lions Club in 2009, Fred was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for his “dedicated humanitarian services”.  So proud was Fred that the award hung in his home office for all to see.
 
Spiritually Fred and Martha were long-time members of Epworth Methodist Church in Concord, NC.  It was there that he affirmed and strengthened his relationship with God.  Many friendships were born over the years through fellowship and church participation; especially the weekly “hot dog day” fundraiser.  Fred also loved being part of the choral group using his strong voice to sing the praises of his Creator.
   
Reflecting on his long life, Fred hoped he touched as many lives as he could and made someone’s day or life a little bit better, THAT, he often said, would mean his life was a success.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Lena Buie Kimes, infant son, Frederick Timothy Kimes, sister, Gloria Kimes Jones Evans, and brother, Clarence Douglas Kimes.

Survivors: wife, Martha Hicks Kimes, daughter, Kimberly Kimes Foote and husband, Steven, sons, Mark Kimes and wife, Lauren, Eric Kimes and wife, Lori, Fred was also blessed with 7 grandchildren, Jordan Foote, married to Laura; Kevin Foote; Whitney Miller; Michael Kimes; Aaron Kimes; Madison Kimes Hofer, married to Kody; and Jared Kimes, he was doubly blessed to know 5 great-grandchildren, McCartney Foote, Allie Foote, Samantha Miller, Cassie Miller and Elliot Miller.

The body will lie in repose on Friday, January 29, 2021 from noon until 5:00 PM at the Loflin Funeral Home, Ramseur.

Condolences may be made online at www.loflinfuneralservice.com.

Arrangements by Loflin Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ramseur.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Fred's name to Epworth UMC Hotdog Ministry, 1030 Burrage Road, Concord, NC 28025 or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081 in recognition of the wonderful care he received in his last days.

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