Kimball attended the Santa Barbara School of the Arts in order to become a painter and illustrator. Kimball's instructor at the school suggested to him that his work should be submitted to Walt Disney Productions (later known as the Walt Disney Animation Studios), and that he should pursue a career in animation. In March 1934, a 20-year-old Kimball applied for a job at the Disney studio. In April 1934, he was hired as an inbetweener. He was then promoted to an assistant animator. He served as an assistant to animator Hamilton Luske. Kimball worked primarily in the "Silly Symphony" series, where his film credits include the animated short films "The Wise Little Hen" (1934), "The Goddess of Spring" (1934), and "The Tortoise and the Hare" (1935). He also worked on "Mickey Mouse" shorts, where his film credits include the short film "Orphan's Benefit" (1934).