Karl D. Brimer, 67, of Saks passed away January 30, 2023. Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Saks, Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 2PM. The family will receive friends from noon until the time of service. There will be a private graveside service for the family.
Karl was a loving husband to his soulmate and wife of 47 years, Kathy Third Brimer. He was a beloved father to daughters, Marissa and Heather. He is also survived by his mother, Ima Jean Brimer; brother, Ronald (Sharon) Brimer; sister, Amanda (Harry) Collins; sister in-laws, Kay Third, Krysti Wilson, Karen (Randy) Wilson; and his brother in-law, lifelong friend and accomplice in many adventures, Scott Third along with many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and chosen family. He is preceded in death by his son, Matthew Brimer, father, Duke Brimer, and great-niece, Rylan Phillips.
Karl was born and raised in Saks and attended Saks High School. It was at school where he met his wife, Kathy, in the 9th grade. They started dating at 15 and never looked back. He was a member of the 1971-72 Saks High School football team that made it all the way to the state semifinals under Coach Jack Stewart. He and Kathy were proud members of the Saks High class of 1973.
Karl was a jack of many trades and master of them all! He retired from the Anniston Water Works and then worked for the ANCDF chemical plant. He also worked as the Public Works Director for the City of Weaver, a plumber for Barrett Plumbing, and as the resident home improvement encyclopedia at Saks Hardware. Karl was an ordained deacon at First Baptist Church of Anniston and a member of First Baptist Church of Saks. For many years, he spent time each summer volunteering for church mission projects in Oklahoma. After the loss of their son, Matthew, both Kathy and Karl became devoted volunteers with the National Fallen Firefighters Federation in Maryland. One of his proudest projects was volunteering his time and skills to help build the Matthew Brimer Fire Station for the Weaver Fire Department.
Karl was always cracking a joke and never met a stranger. When he was not working (which was rare), he loved to travel with his family and take tons of photos (even if those photos were just of trees!) but ironically hated having his picture taken. Smiling pictures of Karl are as rare as Sasquatch sightings! Some of his favorite places to visit were the Smokey Mountains, Alaska, and Iceland. There wasn’t much Karl couldn’t fix and he was often the first person people called when they needed help. He loved being the mischievous “Uncle Karl” to kids and delighted in getting in trouble right along with them. His new favorite role has been as “Pops” to his and Kathy’s fur-kid Milo and Marissa and Heather’s many puppies. His four-legged family members always knew they could count on him to sneak them a treat or two or twelve. Karl meant so much to so many and will be missed by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Weaver Fire Department.
