John was born July 27, 1933, in Ogden, Utah, to Ivan and Raida Betteridge Kimber. His brothers are Marvin, Richard and Lynn Kimber. 

John was raised on a ranch in Grouse Creek, Utah, and later moved to Las Vegas in 1957. His career with the Nevada Department of Transportation began in 1954 and he retired after 50 years of service. In recognition of holding the longest tenure of any employee at NDOT and his countless achievements, then-Governor Kenny Guinn honored him by declaring May 4th “John Kimber Day.” He added to his public service as an active member of the SNEA (State of Nevada Employees Association), later serving as its president.

He was married to Dolores and his children were Jana and Randall.

John was an avid boxer, earning him the nickname of “Punch” from his friends and coworkers, which took him from small towns in Nevada, to the Hollywood Stadium and Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. He boxed as an amateur in the Golden Gloves tournament and professionally at the Silver Slipper. Additionally, he volunteered at the Boys Club teaching boxing, with one of his students being future-Senator Harry Reid, and served as a sparring partner for Mohammad Ali (then Cassius Clay) and Sugar Ray Robinson

John Thurman Kimber passed away June 13, 2018, at home, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 84. John is buried in the Bunkers Memory Gardens Cemetery in Las Vegas, Nevada.