The funeral service for James Kimbrell will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Henninger~Hinson Funeral Home Chapel with Steve Hoffsommer officiating.
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James Kimbrell was a Dust Bowl orphan raised by nuns in Bethany, Oklahoma. As a teen he transitioned to St. Joseph’s Prep School where he did custodial work in exchange for room, board, and tuition; he excelled at football. Immediately after graduating he joined the Navy and learned his given name was in fact Kimbrell (not Kimbrew as he had always believed). Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy he met Delcy at church and was married soon after. He worked his way through college while supporting his rapidly growing family and joined the Air Force Reserves as a radioman. He completed many missions on a cargo plane during the Bay of Pigs. Returning home, he decided to become a teacher and coach and found work in many small town schools across Oklahoma, including Pierce, Slick, McCloud, and Carney. Always with his family in tow James finally landing at Chisholm High School in Enid. The best years of his life were spent here as Coach, teacher, administrator, mentor, role model and friend to the kids under his tutelage. He eventually retired but – still having so much to give – he joined the Oklahoma Corrections Department as a teacher for nine more years. When he retired for good he was able to travel and spend time with his loving family for the remaining years of his life. In a final act of love for teaching, he chose to donate his body to O.U. Medical School.
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James is survived by his wife Delcy of the home, and his children, Casey Kimbell Flatt, of Enid, Scott Kimbrell , of Harbin, China, Angie Pennington of Austin, TX. and Cole Pennington also of Austin, TX.
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Condolences may be made on-line at www.enidwecare.com
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Obituaries are posted due to the generosity of these sponsors...
A UNITED METHODIST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
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For more info or a tour, please call (580) 237-6164
