Homer Lee Kimbrough, age 97, passed away on October 1, 2018, at Carrollton Manor in Carrollton, Georgia. He was a native of Colbert County and Tuscumbia, Alabama, where he lived over 50 years. He was born in Barton, Alabama, to Archie Lee Kimbrough and Velma Dean Thompson Kimbrough on November 25, 1920. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Whitehead Kimbrough, his parents, and step-mother, Ora Mae Bryan Kimbrough. He is survived by his sister, Hellen Kimbrough Wortmann, of Carrollton, Georgia, his niece, Lisa Taylor Hayes, of Atlanta, nephew Mark Wortmann of Carrollton, and special cousins, Mary Henderson of Covington, Georgia and Bill “Bunky” Blankenship of Tuscumbia, Alabama. Numerous great nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.
Before entering service in World War II, he was employed by Southern Railway as a Railroad Car Mechanic. He was a member of Barton Baptist Church which he joined at age 13.
He is a veteran of World War II United States Air Force where he separated as Sargent. He flew in the 824 bomber planes in Italy where he flew at least 24 raids over Europe as a radio mechanic and tail gunner. Upon returning from service, he entered Florence State Teachers College, now University of North Alabama, and received a degree in Chemistry. His career was spent working in fertilizer production plants and retired as a field engineer from Tennessee Valley Authority in AgriRelations after 27 years. He was instrumental in the installation and operation of numerous fertilizer plants in the United States. The Texas Plant Food Institute recognized him upon his retirement for “outstanding service to the Texas fertilizer for the period of 1964-84”. His TVA supervisor said of him “he is a shining example of not asking what TVA can do for him, but what he can do for TVA.” He helped start up about 100 fertilizer manufacturing plants during the 20 years of the field program in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
Upon his retirement he restored a log cabin on the family ranch south of Cherokee, Alabama, where he and his wife spent many years as he raised cattle and enjoyed his dogs and boating on the Tennessee River. He enjoyed entertaining dinner guests with his special and delicious Crawfish Etouffee which he made by the gallons.
He had a special interest in the Barton Cemetery, served on the Board of Directors, and worked on the beautification of the cemetery by erecting a beautiful white picket fence along the boundary of the highway.
Rev. Tommy West, former pastor of Barton Baptist Church, will be officiating the service.
Morrison Funeral Home of Tuscumbia, Alabama, is in charge of the service with visitation on Monday, October 8, from 12 noon until 2:00, and service in the chapel at 2:00. Interment will follow at the Barton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Barton Cemetery Beautification Fund at Barton Cemetery Board, Inc., P.O. Box 506, Cherokee, AL 35616.
