Emmett DeWitt Kimes was born the 25th of December, 1890 in Crawford County, Arkansas. He was the oldest of eight children born to Joseph Leander Kimes and Elizabeth Lewis. They lived in the country in the Ozarks of Arkansas in a small home with no electricity, indoor plumbing or running water. They lived off the land as did all their neighbors. As Methodists, religion was an important aspect of their family life.
Emmett loved engines and machines although there weren't many around where he grew up. His father had a small sawmill in Arkansas and Emmett helped his dad with the steam engine that ran the saw. Life was hard for the large family. He left home at the age of sixteen and went to California to find work. He got a job working and living in the sawmill and logging encampment at Sugarpine. In the winter the mill closed down and he lived with his uncle, D. Francis Kimes, in Hanford, Kings County, California where he attended school. He sent money home and tried to help his siblings. His mother killed herself in 1908.
When World War I began in 1914 Emmett enlisted in the army. He returned home to see his father and enlisted in Arkansas. He was stationed at Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA where he met Mignon.
Emmett and Mignon were married the 5th of August, 1920 in Richfield, Sevier County, Utah, USA. Emmett was 29 years old and Mignon was 24. After their marriage Emmett planned to work in the sugar factory and buy a piece of land he had picked out in Utah. However, shortly after their marriage Moody, Emmett's brother, told him about a job on the railroad working as a fireman in California. Emmett had always wanted to be an engineer on a train. While working at the sawmills he studied engineering books and mathematics. He was most interested in mechanical engineering. His greatest ambition was to work on the railroad; he left Utah and went to California. Mignon stayed in Utah to finish her teaching assignment. Emmett worked on and off for the railroad on the west coast throughout the depression.
They first bought a few acres in Fresno and later moved to Oregon for about 3 years and then back to California's central valley in many of the small towns along the rail line. Emmett worked as a stationary engineer for the railroad once they moved to Richmond in about 1937.
Where their third child, David was born.
Emmett was working on the railroad as a stationary engineer. He was a very intelligent, very hard working man. Mignon said, "Emmett had tantrums. He didn't trust me to make my own decisions. When I was visiting in Richfield with David he bought a gun, new shoes and a fishing pole. We just got back and I had a lot of washing to do. It was Saturday and the bank was open til noon. I wanted to get the washing done and he wanted me to get to the bank. We had a big argument. Emmett left. Later the police came to tell me they found him dead."
Emmett was a very sensitive, loving, and kind man. He was deeply in love with Mignon but she was unable to return his love or affection. They didn't communicate well. From what grandma said he was a jealous man. But, Kathlyn, Richard's wife, never saw him display jealousy. Everything he did was for his family. His family meant a tremendous amount to him. He loved his children very much and was a very affectionate man who worked hard to provide the best for them. Kathlyn, says:
"Grandpa talked with Richard. We knew things weren't good at home. It was so tension ridden. Richard encouraged him to spend money on himself, to get some things for him to do. He had never done anything for himself. Everything he did was for his family. We encouraged him to take an interest in some sports activities. He had never had time for entertainment; he was working all the time. That's why Grandpa bought the rifle and the fishing pole.
Grandpa came over to tell us good-by just before ending his life. He wasn't agitated or having a nervous breakdown. He was just as rational as could be. He felt there was no solution. He was very calm and had tears in his eyes as he said, "I can't live with mama but I can't live without her. If I could love another woman it would be different." It was a situation that he couldn't resolve. He was a very frustrated man. He was terribly sad. He really adored her. He would say, "If I could just take her in my arms and tell her I love her." It was the last thing she wanted was for him to touch her. Yet, he was miserable without her.
He gave Richard his rifle, fishing pole, and pocket watch. He hugged me and said good-by to you kids. His last words to us as he went out to the car were, "I love her so much." He shot and killed himself the 19th of July, 1952, 50 yards East of Castro Road (near Sheldon School) in San Pablo, Contra Costa County, California, USA.)
Emmett is buried in Row 10, Plot 2017 at Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, California, USA.
Compiled and written by Susan Kimes Burgess
Emmett loved engines and machines although there weren't many around where he grew up. His father had a small sawmill in Arkansas and Emmett helped his dad with the steam engine that ran the saw. Life was hard for the large family. He left home at the age of sixteen and went to California to find work. He got a job working and living in the sawmill and logging encampment at Sugarpine. In the winter the mill closed down and he lived with his uncle, D. Francis Kimes, in Hanford, Kings County, California where he attended school. He sent money home and tried to help his siblings. His mother killed herself in 1908.
When World War I began in 1914 Emmett enlisted in the army. He returned home to see his father and enlisted in Arkansas. He was stationed at Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA where he met Mignon.
Emmett and Mignon were married the 5th of August, 1920 in Richfield, Sevier County, Utah, USA. Emmett was 29 years old and Mignon was 24. After their marriage Emmett planned to work in the sugar factory and buy a piece of land he had picked out in Utah. However, shortly after their marriage Moody, Emmett's brother, told him about a job on the railroad working as a fireman in California. Emmett had always wanted to be an engineer on a train. While working at the sawmills he studied engineering books and mathematics. He was most interested in mechanical engineering. His greatest ambition was to work on the railroad; he left Utah and went to California. Mignon stayed in Utah to finish her teaching assignment. Emmett worked on and off for the railroad on the west coast throughout the depression.
They first bought a few acres in Fresno and later moved to Oregon for about 3 years and then back to California's central valley in many of the small towns along the rail line. Emmett worked as a stationary engineer for the railroad once they moved to Richmond in about 1937.
Where their third child, David was born.
Emmett was working on the railroad as a stationary engineer. He was a very intelligent, very hard working man. Mignon said, "Emmett had tantrums. He didn't trust me to make my own decisions. When I was visiting in Richfield with David he bought a gun, new shoes and a fishing pole. We just got back and I had a lot of washing to do. It was Saturday and the bank was open til noon. I wanted to get the washing done and he wanted me to get to the bank. We had a big argument. Emmett left. Later the police came to tell me they found him dead."
Emmett was a very sensitive, loving, and kind man. He was deeply in love with Mignon but she was unable to return his love or affection. They didn't communicate well. From what grandma said he was a jealous man. But, Kathlyn, Richard's wife, never saw him display jealousy. Everything he did was for his family. His family meant a tremendous amount to him. He loved his children very much and was a very affectionate man who worked hard to provide the best for them. Kathlyn, says:
"Grandpa talked with Richard. We knew things weren't good at home. It was so tension ridden. Richard encouraged him to spend money on himself, to get some things for him to do. He had never done anything for himself. Everything he did was for his family. We encouraged him to take an interest in some sports activities. He had never had time for entertainment; he was working all the time. That's why Grandpa bought the rifle and the fishing pole.
Grandpa came over to tell us good-by just before ending his life. He wasn't agitated or having a nervous breakdown. He was just as rational as could be. He felt there was no solution. He was very calm and had tears in his eyes as he said, "I can't live with mama but I can't live without her. If I could love another woman it would be different." It was a situation that he couldn't resolve. He was a very frustrated man. He was terribly sad. He really adored her. He would say, "If I could just take her in my arms and tell her I love her." It was the last thing she wanted was for him to touch her. Yet, he was miserable without her.
He gave Richard his rifle, fishing pole, and pocket watch. He hugged me and said good-by to you kids. His last words to us as he went out to the car were, "I love her so much." He shot and killed himself the 19th of July, 1952, 50 yards East of Castro Road (near Sheldon School) in San Pablo, Contra Costa County, California, USA.)
Emmett is buried in Row 10, Plot 2017 at Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, California, USA.
Compiled and written by Susan Kimes Burgess
Emmett DeWitt Kimes was born the 25th of December, 1890 in Crawford County, Arkansas. He was the oldest of eight children born to Joseph Leander Kimes and Elizabeth Lewis. They lived in the country in the Ozarks of Arkansas in a small home with no electricity, indoor plumbing or running water. They lived off the land as did all their neighbors. As Methodists, religion was an important aspect of their family life.
Emmett loved engines and machines although there weren't many around where he grew up. His father had a small sawmill in Arkansas and Emmett helped his dad with the steam engine that ran the saw. Life was hard for the large family. He left home at the age of sixteen and went to California to find work. He got a job working and living in the sawmill and logging encampment at Sugarpine. In the winter the mill closed down and he lived with his uncle, D. Francis Kimes, in Hanford, Kings County, California where he attended school. He sent money home and tried to help his siblings. His mother killed herself in 1908.
When World War I began in 1914 Emmett enlisted in the army. He returned home to see his father and enlisted in Arkansas. He was stationed at Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA where he met Mignon.
Emmett and Mignon were married the 5th of August, 1920 in Richfield, Sevier County, Utah, USA. Emmett was 29 years old and Mignon was 24. After their marriage Emmett planned to work in the sugar factory and buy a piece of land he had picked out in Utah. However, shortly after their marriage Moody, Emmett's brother, told him about a job on the railroad working as a fireman in California. Emmett had always wanted to be an engineer on a train. While working at the sawmills he studied engineering books and mathematics. He was most interested in mechanical engineering. His greatest ambition was to work on the railroad; he left Utah and went to California. Mignon stayed in Utah to finish her teaching assignment. Emmett worked on and off for the railroad on the west coast throughout the depression.
They first bought a few acres in Fresno and later moved to Oregon for about 3 years and then back to California's central valley in many of the small towns along the rail line. Emmett worked as a stationary engineer for the railroad once they moved to Richmond in about 1937.
Where their third child, David was born.
Emmett was working on the railroad as a stationary engineer. He was a very intelligent, very hard working man. Mignon said, "Emmett had tantrums. He didn't trust me to make my own decisions. When I was visiting in Richfield with David he bought a gun, new shoes and a fishing pole. We just got back and I had a lot of washing to do. It was Saturday and the bank was open til noon. I wanted to get the washing done and he wanted me to get to the bank. We had a big argument. Emmett left. Later the police came to tell me they found him dead."
Emmett was a very sensitive, loving, and kind man. He was deeply in love with Mignon but she was unable to return his love or affection. They didn't communicate well. From what grandma said he was a jealous man. But, Kathlyn, Richard's wife, never saw him display jealousy. Everything he did was for his family. His family meant a tremendous amount to him. He loved his children very much and was a very affectionate man who worked hard to provide the best for them. Kathlyn, says:
"Grandpa talked with Richard. We knew things weren't good at home. It was so tension ridden. Richard encouraged him to spend money on himself, to get some things for him to do. He had never done anything for himself. Everything he did was for his family. We encouraged him to take an interest in some sports activities. He had never had time for entertainment; he was working all the time. That's why Grandpa bought the rifle and the fishing pole.
Grandpa came over to tell us good-by just before ending his life. He wasn't agitated or having a nervous breakdown. He was just as rational as could be. He felt there was no solution. He was very calm and had tears in his eyes as he said, "I can't live with mama but I can't live without her. If I could love another woman it would be different." It was a situation that he couldn't resolve. He was a very frustrated man. He was terribly sad. He really adored her. He would say, "If I could just take her in my arms and tell her I love her." It was the last thing she wanted was for him to touch her. Yet, he was miserable without her.
He gave Richard his rifle, fishing pole, and pocket watch. He hugged me and said good-by to you kids. His last words to us as he went out to the car were, "I love her so much." He shot and killed himself the 19th of July, 1952, 50 yards East of Castro Road (near Sheldon School) in San Pablo, Contra Costa County, California, USA.)
Emmett is buried in Row 10, Plot 2017 at Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, California, USA.
Compiled and written by Susan Kimes Burgess
Emmett loved engines and machines although there weren't many around where he grew up. His father had a small sawmill in Arkansas and Emmett helped his dad with the steam engine that ran the saw. Life was hard for the large family. He left home at the age of sixteen and went to California to find work. He got a job working and living in the sawmill and logging encampment at Sugarpine. In the winter the mill closed down and he lived with his uncle, D. Francis Kimes, in Hanford, Kings County, California where he attended school. He sent money home and tried to help his siblings. His mother killed herself in 1908.
When World War I began in 1914 Emmett enlisted in the army. He returned home to see his father and enlisted in Arkansas. He was stationed at Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA where he met Mignon.
Emmett and Mignon were married the 5th of August, 1920 in Richfield, Sevier County, Utah, USA. Emmett was 29 years old and Mignon was 24. After their marriage Emmett planned to work in the sugar factory and buy a piece of land he had picked out in Utah. However, shortly after their marriage Moody, Emmett's brother, told him about a job on the railroad working as a fireman in California. Emmett had always wanted to be an engineer on a train. While working at the sawmills he studied engineering books and mathematics. He was most interested in mechanical engineering. His greatest ambition was to work on the railroad; he left Utah and went to California. Mignon stayed in Utah to finish her teaching assignment. Emmett worked on and off for the railroad on the west coast throughout the depression.
They first bought a few acres in Fresno and later moved to Oregon for about 3 years and then back to California's central valley in many of the small towns along the rail line. Emmett worked as a stationary engineer for the railroad once they moved to Richmond in about 1937.
Where their third child, David was born.
Emmett was working on the railroad as a stationary engineer. He was a very intelligent, very hard working man. Mignon said, "Emmett had tantrums. He didn't trust me to make my own decisions. When I was visiting in Richfield with David he bought a gun, new shoes and a fishing pole. We just got back and I had a lot of washing to do. It was Saturday and the bank was open til noon. I wanted to get the washing done and he wanted me to get to the bank. We had a big argument. Emmett left. Later the police came to tell me they found him dead."
Emmett was a very sensitive, loving, and kind man. He was deeply in love with Mignon but she was unable to return his love or affection. They didn't communicate well. From what grandma said he was a jealous man. But, Kathlyn, Richard's wife, never saw him display jealousy. Everything he did was for his family. His family meant a tremendous amount to him. He loved his children very much and was a very affectionate man who worked hard to provide the best for them. Kathlyn, says:
"Grandpa talked with Richard. We knew things weren't good at home. It was so tension ridden. Richard encouraged him to spend money on himself, to get some things for him to do. He had never done anything for himself. Everything he did was for his family. We encouraged him to take an interest in some sports activities. He had never had time for entertainment; he was working all the time. That's why Grandpa bought the rifle and the fishing pole.
Grandpa came over to tell us good-by just before ending his life. He wasn't agitated or having a nervous breakdown. He was just as rational as could be. He felt there was no solution. He was very calm and had tears in his eyes as he said, "I can't live with mama but I can't live without her. If I could love another woman it would be different." It was a situation that he couldn't resolve. He was a very frustrated man. He was terribly sad. He really adored her. He would say, "If I could just take her in my arms and tell her I love her." It was the last thing she wanted was for him to touch her. Yet, he was miserable without her.
He gave Richard his rifle, fishing pole, and pocket watch. He hugged me and said good-by to you kids. His last words to us as he went out to the car were, "I love her so much." He shot and killed himself the 19th of July, 1952, 50 yards East of Castro Road (near Sheldon School) in San Pablo, Contra Costa County, California, USA.)
Emmett is buried in Row 10, Plot 2017 at Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, California, USA.
Compiled and written by Susan Kimes Burgess
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