Obituary of James Kimball King

James Kimball King, Professor Emeritus of English, 85, died Friday, April 26, at his home in Chapel Hill. 

He was the son of the late James and Virginia King of Princeton NJ. King attended the Lawrenceville School, Yale University, and Johns Hopkins University. He received an MA from Wesleyan University in Connecticut while teaching at Fairfield Country Day School and a PhD in English from the University of Wisconsin.

Kimball was a professor in UNC’s English Department for 40 years, as well as adjunct professor of Dramatic Arts. While in the English Department, he authored and edited thirteen books including a two-volume edition of Drama in the Western World. He also received three teaching awards and took students to London to study theater for 25 summers. Since retirement he has taught online drama classes for the UNC Friday Center.

He was married to Harriet Richards Lowry in Chevy Chase MD. They have three children: Scottow, Caleb and Virginia, nine grandchildren and two great grandsons.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to the Playmakers Repertory Company #CD 3230 UNC-CH or the Chapel of the Cross, 304 East Franklin St, Chapel Hill NC 27514 or the Friday Center, 100 Friday Center Drive, Campus Box 1020, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 2:00pm at the Chapel of the Cross.

The King family is under the care of Walker’s Funeral Home of Chapel Hill.  Please express your online condolence by using the tab below.