Orman Lanier Kimbrough III's Obituary
ORMAN LANIER ?KIM? KIMBROUGH III
Memorial services for Orman Lanier ?Kim? Kimbrough III, 90, of Longview will be held at Noon, Monday April 5, 2004 at the First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Jonathan Jehorek and Reverend W. D. O?Neal officiating. .The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Friday, April 2, 2004 in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home of Longview, 1617 Judson Road. Burial will be held at 2 PM Saturday, April 3, 2004 in the Ash Creek Cemetery, Azle Texas with the Reverend Robert Bruce officiating the gravesite service.
Born in Azle, Tarrant County, Texas on March 24, 1914, Kim was the son of Orman Lanier, Jr., and Linnie Moore Kimbrough. He attended Weatherford College, Texas Christian University, and graduated from North Texas State University. He accepted the Distinguished Alumnus award from Weatherford College in 1997 and he credits Weatherford College with motivating him to achieve his goals.
He taught school and was principal in Tarrant County public schools, and then was employed by the National Youth Administration in Ft. Worth and west Texas. In 1942 he entered the U.S. Navy and served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters and was discharged as a Lt.j.g. in 1946. He married Marjorie Olson May 30, 1944 in Glencoe, Illinois while he was at Great Lakes Naval Training Stations.
He returned to Texas after discharge, with his bride, and was employed by the Veterans Administration in Longview until he purchased the Sinclair distributorship in 1954 and organized and operated the O. L. Kimbrough Oil Co. until his retirement in 1975. In 1962 he became associated with the radio broadcasting business and was owner and part-owner of several radio stations, including local station KEES.
One of his most enjoyable activities was his association in the farming and cattle business on his East Texas farms. He was a Director of the Longview Bank & Trust, presently Texas Bank & Trust, Longview Savings and Loan, and Lindale State Bank. As a strong advocate for public education, O.L. served on the Longview Independent School District board for 21 years and was awarded a Life Membership in the PTA. He was an Elder, Deacon and Trustee at the First Presbyterian Church and taught Sunday school over the years. He was a member of the State and National Oil Jobber?s Associations, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, American Legion, and Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Men?s Garden Club. He served for 6 years on the Gregg County Appraisal Board, coached Little League baseball, worked with Boy Scouts of America as Cubmaster, Scoutmaster and Board Chairman of the First Presbyterian Church troop. Having traveled to more than 150 foreign countries, he was a member of the Traveler?s Century Club and has collected mementos from all over the world. He was a member of the East Texas Vintage Auto Club and showed and drove his antique cars in parades and on tours. Kim most recently published his autobiography, The Good Life, which he began writing after he retired which is a memorial of his life for his family and friends.
Mr. Kimbrough was a resident of Longview spanning seven decades. His two great loves were his family and his community and he made innumerable contributions to the life and spirit of both.
O.L. Kimbrough is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marjorie, of Longview, son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth Bruce and Glenda Gindy Kimbrough of Longview, daughter and son-in-law, Laurel Rae and Robert Gray Bruce of Tyler, daughter-in-law, Susan Kimbrough of Midland; brother, Ralph Kimbrough of Ft. Worth; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Stuart and Sally Olson of Wisconsin, Larry and LeAnne Olson of Ohio; grandchildren: Orman Lanier Lance Kimbrough of North Carolina, Kevin Henry Kimbrough of Austin, Kristy Kay and Derek McBride of Plano, Ginny Rae and Steven Walker of Plano, Julie Marjorie Kimbrough of Longview, Casey Leanne Cox of Waco, Adam Michael Cox of San Marcos, Robert and Gretchen Bruce of Austin and Shannon and Michael Shappell of Virginia; great grandsons, Hayden and Garrett Walker and Jacob Bruce; and various nieces, nephew and cousins and many loving friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, O.L. Kimbrough, Jr. and Linnie Kimbrough, and son, O. L. Lanny Kimbrough, IV.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Weatherford College Scholarship Fund, 308 Park Ave., Weatherford, Texas 76086, or to, First Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 301 North Center, Longview, Texas 75601 or charity of choice.
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