Howard Dewie Kimbrell, 85, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, died April 26, 2021. He was born September 26, 1935, in a home birth in Cleveland County, Arkansas, to Ernest Clifton Kimbrell and Lucy Bowlin Kimbrell. After beginning his education in the Rose Hill School, he graduated from Rison High School. He was a member of Living Waters United Methodist Church in Centerton, Arkansas.
In 1955, he married Virginia Sue McEntire of Ladd, Arkansas. After working for Ford Tractor Company in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, for three years, he joined his wife’s family farm and cotton gin business. He farmed for 45 years. Howard was a former 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Shriners. After he retired in 2003, he and his wife moved to Northwest Arkansas where they enjoyed motorhome travel, going south in the winter and north in the summer. A charter member of the Arkansas Razorback Road Hogs, Howard earned the sobriquet “Wagon Master” as he led the caravan of motorhomes throughout the SEC supporting Razorback athletics. Known affectionately as “Tunney Man” to a host of nieces, nephews, and friends, he never met a stranger and was dearly loved by all who knew him.
Howard is survived by his wife of 65 years, daughter Susan Kimbrell of Clinton, Arkansas, daughter Karen (Randall) Algee of Shirley, Arkansas, and son Howard Dewie (Cynthia) Kimbrell, Jr., of Heber Springs, Arkansas, grandchildren Jackson (Lydia) Kimbrell of New Orleans, Louisiana, Truesdale (Haylee) Kimbrell of Gravette, Arkansas, and Ray Weatherford of Bentonville, Arkansas, two great-grandsons Bud Kimbrell and his younger brother Archie Kimbrell, born on April 27, 2021, of New Orleans, Louisiana. He is also survived by his sister Mary (Tommy) Lunsford of Rison, Arkansas, sister Jo (John) Kauffman of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and brother Larry (Janet) Kimbrell of Warren, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Margie Kimbrell Harris, and brothers Fred Wayne Kimbrell and Gary Clifton Kimbrell.
No funeral service will be held at this time. A celebration of his life will be held this summer. Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital.
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