Funeral services set for Larry Chimbole

PALMDALE – Funeral services have been set for Larry Chimbole, who moved to the Palmdale area in 1957, helped champion the area’s incorporation and became the city’s first mayor. Chimbole died Nov. 10 at age 96.

His services are open to the entire community, according to Palmdale Communications Manager John Mlynar. The city released the following details about funeral services for Larry Chimbole:

Visitation – 3 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 17
Chapel of the Valley Mortuary, 1755 East Avenue R, Palmdale

Funeral Mass – starting at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 18
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1600 East Avenue R-4, Palmdale

Interment – following Mass, Wednesday, Nov. 18
Desert Lawn Memorial Park, 2200 East Avenue S, Palmdale

Reception to celebrate Larry’s Life – 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 18
Chimbole Cultural Center, 38350 Sierra Highway, Palmdale

Guests are asked to bring a photo or written memory to share on the Celebration Posters at the reception.

Larry Chimbole was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and served as a B-29 radio operator in the Army Air Corps in World War II. He moved to California after the war, settling first in Glendale, then the San Fernando Valley before moving to the then-unincorporated Palmdale area in 1957.

As a business owner, Chimbole became active in the area’s civic affairs, serving as president of the Kiwanis Club and the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce. He later became one of the area’s so-called “50 Grand Men” who helped spearhead efforts to incorporate as a city, which occurred in 1962. Chimbole was chosen as the first mayor.

According to the city, Chimbole was credited with luring the Lockheed assembly plant to the Antelope Valley. He served 12 years on the Palmdale City Council, then served in the state Assembly from 1974 to 1978 — the first Antelope Valley resident ever elected to the Legislature.

He continued to be active in the community after leaving elected office, serving on the Antelope Valley Hospital Board of Directors and the Antelope Valley Fair Board of Directors. The city’s Cultural Center is named after him, and a statue of him was dedicated on Oct. 8 near Palmdale City Hall.

Previous related story: Palmdale’s first mayor, Larry Chimbole, passes away