Long-legged and barrel-chested, John Kimbrough was a big man with a bigger smile whose deep-voiced Tennessee drawl could out talk, out smart, and out tell every tall tale this side of the Mason Dixon.
In 1944, at the height of the Second World War and with his parent’s blessing, Johnny, as he was affectionately called, left his tiny hometown of East Ridge, Tennessee and headed to Atlanta on his Cushman Motor Scooter because he had a hankering to see the wide world. Wartime gas rationing meant the road was clear, and country folks kindly supplied him with sandwiches when he stopped at small stores to rest. With some tinkering to the motor, that red Cushman topped out at 50 mph, even faster open throttle down hill, so he was able to eyeball the big city and be back home before full dark to find his pups, Pug and Jigs, as well as his supper, warm and waiting for him. It was a 200 mile round trip. And Johnny Kimbrough was 7 years old.
The only telephone booth for miles was situated right across the road from East Ridge’s sole Service Station, owned by John’s dad, with Johnny, at age 9, the designated Tow Truck Driver. Folks congregated in and around that small store, swapping spit and gossip in chairs out front, watching the traffic trickle by for entertainment. One day a strange car, with “chiCARgo” plates screetched up to that pretty new phone booth, and a big yankee fella in a fine suit sprang out and made a call. Faster than you could say Jack Robinson up pulled another out-of-stater “VEEhicle,” and two men with Tommy guns blew that first guy to bits while he was still clutching the receiver. Then off they sped. Before the dust could settle everyone, including Johnny, ran over to that poor man on the ground, took in the blood, the bullets and the bits of broken glass ... and right away commenced to planning a proper funeral for their dear departed phone booth.
John was a man’s man who hunted deer, bear, grouse, elk, turkey, and prairie dogs, fished lakes and streams and rivers, excelled at bird dog field trials, raised and rode horses, bred chickens, and always enjoyed a good motorcycle. He woke up singing, never missed a meal, loved pretty much every edible thing but was partial to butterscotch pie, fruit cake, venison, bear steaks, Jodi’s homemade biscuits with butter, and all things sweet. He spoiled dogs and children; when nieces, nephews and grandkids visited him in California, first on the agenda was a trip to the store for a grocery bag filled with as much candy it could hold, and second was a long day at the video arcade playing every game in the building, with John playing, whooping, and hollering right alongside. He was a big kid at Christmas, reveling in the decorations and gift giving, but Autumn was his favorite season because the mountain leaves were beautiful and hunting season was finally here.
John loved his country and was proud and honored to serve in the military, first in his high school Naval ROTC, later in his college Army ROTC, and eventually as a Captain in the Army Airborne Rangers. He remained in the Army Reserve until 1977.
John also served his country through his love of politics. His Tennessee hometown was dubbed Germantown, and he always remembered listening to his grandfather council the neighbors on their rights and the importance of voting. He never failed to vote, and was a Seminole, Florida County Commissioner from 1970-1977.
John thoroughly enjoyed his career in the Pharmaceutical Industry - working for Schering Corporation, Burroughs Wellcome, and GlaxoSmithKline. When he retired at 72 he was California’s Senior Director of Government Affairs.
On January 6, 2021 John passed away from complications of Covid 19. He was 83 years old. He is survived by his wife, Jodi Gravatt Kimbrough, his daughters Erin Kenny and Carrie Kimbrough, his son John Travis Kimbrough, and his four grandchildren Andrew Kenny, Laura Bess Kenny, John Gunnar Kimbrough and Inga Louise Kimbrough. In lieu of flowers please consider donating in John’s memory to Wounded Warriors. A private interment service will be held at the Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park in Roseville, Georgia. Because of Covid, John’s memorial service will be delayed until his birthday, April 23, at a location to be announced.
John Kimbrough - a life lived full throttle, a very good tale to tell ....
In 1944, at the height of the Second World War and with his parent’s blessing, Johnny, as he was affectionately called, left his tiny hometown of East Ridge, Tennessee and headed to Atlanta on his Cushman Motor Scooter because he had a hankering to see the wide world. Wartime gas rationing meant the road was clear, and country folks kindly supplied him with sandwiches when he stopped at small stores to rest. With some tinkering to the motor, that red Cushman topped out at 50 mph, even faster open throttle down hill, so he was able to eyeball the big city and be back home before full dark to find his pups, Pug and Jigs, as well as his supper, warm and waiting for him. It was a 200 mile round trip. And Johnny Kimbrough was 7 years old.
The only telephone booth for miles was situated right across the road from East Ridge’s sole Service Station, owned by John’s dad, with Johnny, at age 9, the designated Tow Truck Driver. Folks congregated in and around that small store, swapping spit and gossip in chairs out front, watching the traffic trickle by for entertainment. One day a strange car, with “chiCARgo” plates screetched up to that pretty new phone booth, and a big yankee fella in a fine suit sprang out and made a call. Faster than you could say Jack Robinson up pulled another out-of-stater “VEEhicle,” and two men with Tommy guns blew that first guy to bits while he was still clutching the receiver. Then off they sped. Before the dust could settle everyone, including Johnny, ran over to that poor man on the ground, took in the blood, the bullets and the bits of broken glass ... and right away commenced to planning a proper funeral for their dear departed phone booth.
John was a man’s man who hunted deer, bear, grouse, elk, turkey, and prairie dogs, fished lakes and streams and rivers, excelled at bird dog field trials, raised and rode horses, bred chickens, and always enjoyed a good motorcycle. He woke up singing, never missed a meal, loved pretty much every edible thing but was partial to butterscotch pie, fruit cake, venison, bear steaks, Jodi’s homemade biscuits with butter, and all things sweet. He spoiled dogs and children; when nieces, nephews and grandkids visited him in California, first on the agenda was a trip to the store for a grocery bag filled with as much candy it could hold, and second was a long day at the video arcade playing every game in the building, with John playing, whooping, and hollering right alongside. He was a big kid at Christmas, reveling in the decorations and gift giving, but Autumn was his favorite season because the mountain leaves were beautiful and hunting season was finally here.
John loved his country and was proud and honored to serve in the military, first in his high school Naval ROTC, later in his college Army ROTC, and eventually as a Captain in the Army Airborne Rangers. He remained in the Army Reserve until 1977.
John also served his country through his love of politics. His Tennessee hometown was dubbed Germantown, and he always remembered listening to his grandfather council the neighbors on their rights and the importance of voting. He never failed to vote, and was a Seminole, Florida County Commissioner from 1970-1977.
John thoroughly enjoyed his career in the Pharmaceutical Industry - working for Schering Corporation, Burroughs Wellcome, and GlaxoSmithKline. When he retired at 72 he was California’s Senior Director of Government Affairs.
On January 6, 2021 John passed away from complications of Covid 19. He was 83 years old. He is survived by his wife, Jodi Gravatt Kimbrough, his daughters Erin Kenny and Carrie Kimbrough, his son John Travis Kimbrough, and his four grandchildren Andrew Kenny, Laura Bess Kenny, John Gunnar Kimbrough and Inga Louise Kimbrough. In lieu of flowers please consider donating in John’s memory to Wounded Warriors. A private interment service will be held at the Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park in Roseville, Georgia. Because of Covid, John’s memorial service will be delayed until his birthday, April 23, at a location to be announced.
John Kimbrough - a life lived full throttle, a very good tale to tell ....
Long-legged and barrel-chested, John Kimbrough was a big man with a bigger smile whose deep-voiced Tennessee drawl could out talk, out smart, and out tell every tall tale this side of the Mason Dixon.
In 1944, at the height of the Second World War and with his parent’s blessing, Johnny, as he was affectionately called, left his tiny hometown of East Ridge, Tennessee and headed to Atlanta on his Cushman Motor Scooter because he had a hankering to see the wide world. Wartime gas rationing meant the road was clear, and country folks kindly supplied him with sandwiches when he stopped at small stores to rest. With some tinkering to the motor, that red Cushman topped out at 50 mph, even faster open throttle down hill, so he was able to eyeball the big city and be back home before full dark to find his pups, Pug and Jigs, as well as his supper, warm and waiting for him. It was a 200 mile round trip. And Johnny Kimbrough was 7 years old.
The only telephone booth for miles was situated right across the road from East Ridge’s sole Service Station, owned by John’s dad, with Johnny, at age 9, the designated Tow Truck Driver. Folks congregated in and around that small store, swapping spit and gossip in chairs out front, watching the traffic trickle by for entertainment. One day a strange car, with “chiCARgo” plates screetched up to that pretty new phone booth, and a big yankee fella in a fine suit sprang out and made a call. Faster than you could say Jack Robinson up pulled another out-of-stater “VEEhicle,” and two men with Tommy guns blew that first guy to bits while he was still clutching the receiver. Then off they sped. Before the dust could settle everyone, including Johnny, ran over to that poor man on the ground, took in the blood, the bullets and the bits of broken glass ... and right away commenced to planning a proper funeral for their dear departed phone booth.
John was a man’s man who hunted deer, bear, grouse, elk, turkey, and prairie dogs, fished lakes and streams and rivers, excelled at bird dog field trials, raised and rode horses, bred chickens, and always enjoyed a good motorcycle. He woke up singing, never missed a meal, loved pretty much every edible thing but was partial to butterscotch pie, fruit cake, venison, bear steaks, Jodi’s homemade biscuits with butter, and all things sweet. He spoiled dogs and children; when nieces, nephews and grandkids visited him in California, first on the agenda was a trip to the store for a grocery bag filled with as much candy it could hold, and second was a long day at the video arcade playing every game in the building, with John playing, whooping, and hollering right alongside. He was a big kid at Christmas, reveling in the decorations and gift giving, but Autumn was his favorite season because the mountain leaves were beautiful and hunting season was finally here.
John loved his country and was proud and honored to serve in the military, first in his high school Naval ROTC, later in his college Army ROTC, and eventually as a Captain in the Army Airborne Rangers. He remained in the Army Reserve until 1977.
John also served his country through his love of politics. His Tennessee hometown was dubbed Germantown, and he always remembered listening to his grandfather council the neighbors on their rights and the importance of voting. He never failed to vote, and was a Seminole, Florida County Commissioner from 1970-1977.
John thoroughly enjoyed his career in the Pharmaceutical Industry - working for Schering Corporation, Burroughs Wellcome, and GlaxoSmithKline. When he retired at 72 he was California’s Senior Director of Government Affairs.
On January 6, 2021 John passed away from complications of Covid 19. He was 83 years old. He is survived by his wife, Jodi Gravatt Kimbrough, his daughters Erin Kenny and Carrie Kimbrough, his son John Travis Kimbrough, and his four grandchildren Andrew Kenny, Laura Bess Kenny, John Gunnar Kimbrough and Inga Louise Kimbrough. In lieu of flowers please consider donating in John’s memory to Wounded Warriors. A private interment service will be held at the Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park in Roseville, Georgia. Because of Covid, John’s memorial service will be delayed until his birthday, April 23, at a location to be announced.
John Kimbrough - a life lived full throttle, a very good tale to tell ....
In 1944, at the height of the Second World War and with his parent’s blessing, Johnny, as he was affectionately called, left his tiny hometown of East Ridge, Tennessee and headed to Atlanta on his Cushman Motor Scooter because he had a hankering to see the wide world. Wartime gas rationing meant the road was clear, and country folks kindly supplied him with sandwiches when he stopped at small stores to rest. With some tinkering to the motor, that red Cushman topped out at 50 mph, even faster open throttle down hill, so he was able to eyeball the big city and be back home before full dark to find his pups, Pug and Jigs, as well as his supper, warm and waiting for him. It was a 200 mile round trip. And Johnny Kimbrough was 7 years old.
The only telephone booth for miles was situated right across the road from East Ridge’s sole Service Station, owned by John’s dad, with Johnny, at age 9, the designated Tow Truck Driver. Folks congregated in and around that small store, swapping spit and gossip in chairs out front, watching the traffic trickle by for entertainment. One day a strange car, with “chiCARgo” plates screetched up to that pretty new phone booth, and a big yankee fella in a fine suit sprang out and made a call. Faster than you could say Jack Robinson up pulled another out-of-stater “VEEhicle,” and two men with Tommy guns blew that first guy to bits while he was still clutching the receiver. Then off they sped. Before the dust could settle everyone, including Johnny, ran over to that poor man on the ground, took in the blood, the bullets and the bits of broken glass ... and right away commenced to planning a proper funeral for their dear departed phone booth.
John was a man’s man who hunted deer, bear, grouse, elk, turkey, and prairie dogs, fished lakes and streams and rivers, excelled at bird dog field trials, raised and rode horses, bred chickens, and always enjoyed a good motorcycle. He woke up singing, never missed a meal, loved pretty much every edible thing but was partial to butterscotch pie, fruit cake, venison, bear steaks, Jodi’s homemade biscuits with butter, and all things sweet. He spoiled dogs and children; when nieces, nephews and grandkids visited him in California, first on the agenda was a trip to the store for a grocery bag filled with as much candy it could hold, and second was a long day at the video arcade playing every game in the building, with John playing, whooping, and hollering right alongside. He was a big kid at Christmas, reveling in the decorations and gift giving, but Autumn was his favorite season because the mountain leaves were beautiful and hunting season was finally here.
John loved his country and was proud and honored to serve in the military, first in his high school Naval ROTC, later in his college Army ROTC, and eventually as a Captain in the Army Airborne Rangers. He remained in the Army Reserve until 1977.
John also served his country through his love of politics. His Tennessee hometown was dubbed Germantown, and he always remembered listening to his grandfather council the neighbors on their rights and the importance of voting. He never failed to vote, and was a Seminole, Florida County Commissioner from 1970-1977.
John thoroughly enjoyed his career in the Pharmaceutical Industry - working for Schering Corporation, Burroughs Wellcome, and GlaxoSmithKline. When he retired at 72 he was California’s Senior Director of Government Affairs.
On January 6, 2021 John passed away from complications of Covid 19. He was 83 years old. He is survived by his wife, Jodi Gravatt Kimbrough, his daughters Erin Kenny and Carrie Kimbrough, his son John Travis Kimbrough, and his four grandchildren Andrew Kenny, Laura Bess Kenny, John Gunnar Kimbrough and Inga Louise Kimbrough. In lieu of flowers please consider donating in John’s memory to Wounded Warriors. A private interment service will be held at the Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park in Roseville, Georgia. Because of Covid, John’s memorial service will be delayed until his birthday, April 23, at a location to be announced.
John Kimbrough - a life lived full throttle, a very good tale to tell ....
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