Brian Paul Kimmel, 76, of Saylorsburg, PA passed away on September 28, 2023. He was born on December 19, 1946 in Philadelphia and was the oldest son of the late Warren and Kathleen (Reed) Kimmel and the father of Destiny Ikard of New Canaan, CT.

He attended St. Joseph's Catholic Elementary School in Hallowell and Hatboro-Horsham High School.

Brian enlisted in the US Navy in 1965 during the Vietnam War. He served as a radioman aboard two Navy carriers. He was assigned to the Admiral's Flagstaff on both ships. His first tour began on the USS Forrestal (CVA59) with a Med cruise, crossing the equator were he became a shellback, and then off the coast of South Vietnam. He was aboard the Forrestal, when in July 1967, a devastating fire took 138 lives and injured many. He was later assigned to the USS America. He did another deployment to South Vietnam until 1969. He left the Navy with an
honorable discharge and numerous service medal associated with the Vietnam War.

After Vietnam, he worked at various jobs including milking cows for McDonnell's dairy farm in East Greenville and also at Rodale in Emmaus. In the mid-seventies, he started working in the storage shed business which ultimately led to the creation of his own shed company. He loved old cars and began to buy and sell antique cars which helped to launch his career as a car broker. He spent many years at the Manheim Auto Auction located in Lancaster County. Brian also liked going to estate auctions where he bought and sold coins and Smith-Miller trucks.

Brian made friends easily. He had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh and tell jokes. Growing up in Horsham, the family home was on a dead end street next to an abandoned farm.  Many summers were spent in the fruit orchards, the deserted buildings and catching frogs at
the large pond. Later, when a ball field was built close to the house, the neighborhood boys, including Brian, spent many summers playing ball there.

He had a few nicknames: "Jack Rabbit" which later became JR, "Bird" and "Big Daddy" as he was known to his grandchildren. He was fond of the Oldies of the 1950's and early 1960's and had a large 45 collection. If you gave him a song title, he could give you the group and
sometimes the record label. He attended many local dances with Pi Alpha on Friday nights in Warminster. He also spent a lot of time shooting pool at the Billiard Hall in Hatboro. Later in life, he enjoyed playing cards, watching baseball and football and spending time with his
grandchildren.

Brian is survived by his daughter Destiny (Larry) and his three grandchildren Ellie, Brian and James. Also surviving, are his three brothers, Warren (Carol) of Lancaster, Scott (Cindy) of Sellersville and Chris of Horsham as well as his nieces Michele Wanamaker of Slatington, Lauren Decker of Bel Air, MD, Erica Diffenderfer of Leola, Robin Fogel of Coopersburg and his nephews Todd Kimmel of Philadelphia and Randy Rooth of Nazareth.

A Graveside Service will be held for Brian on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, promptly at 11:00 am.  Friends and family are asked to gather at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 850 Highland Road, Newtown, Pennsylvania, 18940 at 10:50 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the following organizations in his honor: Vietnam Veterans of America https://vva.org , Vietnam Veteran Memorial Fund – VVMF.org or Logan's Heros https://www.lharinc.org