Batavia boy, 11, brought out the best in people, mom says

A boy who family and camp counselors say was able to convey joy and affection without being able to speak has died at 11.

Alexander James Kimber of Batavia died of complications of a respiratory infection Thursday at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield.

"He had a hard time from the get-go, but he managed to persevere and he brought out the best in people," said his mother, Sarah Kimber.

"Since 1999, we've had a lot of people who volunteered to help us out. It's been amazing," she added.

Kimber said her son had hydrocephalus, which is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid inside the brain. He suffered a brain injury at the age of 8 months when his shunt malfunctioned.

"He was the most amazing kid I ever met," said Jackie Nilles, director of Rising Stars day camp for the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association in Aurora. "Even though he couldn't walk or talk, you could tell he was enjoying himself.

"I used to call him my teddy bear," Nilles said. "We were happy to be around him. He could make you feel special. People didn't understand that he could communicate even though he couldn't talk."

Nilles said Alexander went to the summer camp for special needs children since he was 7, and also attended a camp for younger children prior to that age.

"He had a very loving family," Nilles added.

In addition to his mother, Alexander is survived by his father, Doug, of Batavia, brother Aaron, his maternal grandparents, James and Dorothie Titus of Glen Ellyn, and his paternal grandparents, Roger and Eileen Kimber of Batavia.

There will be a memorial service at 4 p.m. Sunday at Moss Family Funeral Home, 209 S. Batavia Ave. (Route 31) in Batavia.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association, 2121 W. Indian Trail, Aurora, 60506, or to the Hydrocephalus Association, 870 Market St., Suite 705, San Francisco, CA 94102.