J. Russell "Russ" Kimmel, retired tire dealer, died Jan. 25, 2013 at the age of 84. He was born in 1929 in Baltimore.
His father, Charles E. Kimmel, started the Kimmel Tire Co. in 1938. Russ joined him there in 1945. In 1956 two more sons joined and the Kimmels expanded the business to include 45 stores in Maryland, Virginia and several other Mid-Atlantic states.
By 2002, Kimmel was North America's 27th largest independent tire store chain, according to Modern Tire Dealer statistics. They sold the business that year to Monro Muffler Brake Inc.
Monro experienced strong financial results following the purchase and credited Kimmel’s “tire expertise” with the added success. (See Kimmel stores boost Monro Muffler sales.)
He is survived by his wife, a daughter, three step-children and two brothers.
