1950 ~ 2025 (age 74)
Obituary
Funeral service for Richard Kimbrough will be held at 2pm on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at Cold Springs Baptist Church with Bro. Jerry Kirby and Bro. Keith Weaver officiating. Interment will follow at Cold Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Garrison Funeral Home.
Beulah Land! The land about which he sang with such joy has now become his home. Doyle Richard Kimbrough, 74, of Garrison was born on November 18, 1950, and passed from this life on January 23, 2025. Richard was the son of Doyle Turner Kimbrough and Mildred Faye Sanders Kimbrough. Richard was affectionately known as Sugar Bear to his family and friends when he was younger and Tightrope when he was working in the logging woods. He attended Garrison schools until his graduation in 1969. His favorite classes in high school were business and agriculture, and he also enjoyed serving as one of the school photographers for the yearbook. He worked for his dad and his Uncle Marvis Kimbrough with Kimbrough Bros. Lumber Company from the age of 14 until he was drafted into the US Army in July of 1970. That summer he met his wife Sheron Rushing of Lufkin, and they married on December 19, 1970, moving up their wedding date since Richard’s orders were to be stationed in Vietnam. By the grace of God, when he reported for deployment, he was diverted to Wertheim, Germany, missing the cut off date for Vietnam by three days. He served in the Special Weapons unit from 1971 until February of 1972. His wife Sherry joined him there where they lived with the Hermann Friedrich family in their first home together. Mrs. Friedrich shared that most Americans went home with a German clock and a baby on the way. Their son, Jared Clark Kimbrough, was born on August 25, 1972, a treasured memento from Germany and his parents’ pride and joy. Richard worked for Kimbrough Bros. and then was self-employed in the logging business for many years. He logged the forests of East Texas and vowed that this section of the state was the most beautiful of them all. Richard was a member and deacon of Cold Springs Baptist Church in Garrison. He was the song leader at his church for over twenty years and loved singing, especially with his wife Sherry. Their special song was “Beulah Land”, and Richard’s signature song was “I Can’t Even Walk Without You Holding My Hand”. Southern Gospel was his favorite type of Christian music. He loved to travel, especially to historical destinations because he was an avid student of history. He could recount vividly the stories his dad had shared about his World War II experiences as a radio operator in a B-17 bomber, Honky Tonk Sal. His other travels included taking his granddaughters on vacations during the summer with their favorite place being Beavers’ Bend, Oklahoma. Richard enjoyed crossword puzzles, watching TV, especially Wheel of Fortune, and playing with his two cats Dolly and Rhoda and his dog Harvey. Richard was witty with a touch of sarcasm, intelligent, and a fun-loving jokester. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Richard is survived by his wife of 54 years Sherry and son Jared Kimbrough and wife Mary; Brother Steve Kimbrough and wife Jana; Sister-in-law Jeannine Rushing; Brother-in-law Bryan Rushing and wife Tammy; Niece Paige Nicholson and husband Justin; Nephews Scott Rushing and wife Rachel, Stephen Rushing, Jeremy Kimbrough and wife Kacie, Johnny Edwards and Andy Edwards; Great Nephews Knox Rushing, Zach Kimbrough, Jase Nicholson, and Turner Edwards and wife Alanea; Great nieces Landry Nicholson, Hailey Kimbrough, and Caroline Edwards; Grandchildren Hannah Westerfield and husband Matt, Mallory Sapounas, Shelby Griffin, Hailey Holcomb and husband Holdon, Hannah Reeves and husband Nick, and Thomas Wallace and wife Shelby Jo; Great grandchildren Spencer Westerfield, Addy Reeves, Cara Reeves, and Harvey Holcomb as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Doyle and Faye Kimbrough, sister Shirlene Edwards and husband Steve, brother-in-law Tommy Rushing, and grandparents E.E. and Velma Sanders.
Serving as pallbearers will be Jeremy Kimbrough, Justin Nicholson, Johnny Edwards, Turner Edwards, Stephen Rushing and Matt Westerfield. Honorary pallbearers are Jimmy Beasley, George Muckleroy, Ernie Beadle, Jimmy Matlock, Keith Youngblood, Mark Moore, Rex Williams and Brad Honea.
Very special thanks to Dr. Cengiz Satir for his compassionate care and heartfelt prayers; Nancy, Shannette, and Jeanese with Vital Caring Home Health; Heart to Heart Hospice; and Cayden Parfait, his aide and dear friend who was a Godsend.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Cold Springs Baptist Church at P.O. Box 366, Garrison, TX 75946
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