Thomas James Kimbrough

Thomas James Kimbrough, also affectionately known by manyas “Kimmy, Pipe, or Grandad,” was born April 24th, 1934, to the late Mrs. Gladys Epps (nee) and the late Mr. Albert Franklin Kimbrough, in Morristown, New Jersey. He departed this life to his eternal home in the early hours of October 28th, 2024, at Hospice of Southwest Ohio after a short stay. 

“Kimmy” attended Morris Township Public schools and graduated Morristown High School in June of 1952. He majored in Mathematics and minored in Physics at WilberforceUniversity in Wilberforce Ohio. The plan was to become an engineer; however, his call was to be an educator. After graduating college with a BS in Mathematics, Kimmy was drafted into the U.S. Army with an assignment at Fort Banks, Winthrop, Massachusetts as an Intel Specialist during the Korean War. 

After his military service, he returned to Dayton, Ohio as an insurance salesperson and eventually hired by the Dayton Board of Education as a substitute teacher for Math and Science and this is where he found his niche. 

In 1963 he married the love of his life, Miss Eva Mae Harden of Mississippi and moved to Middletown, Ohio and was hired by the local school system to teach geometry, general and senior mathematics. He continued post graduate studies at Central StateUniversity, Miami University, and Xavier University where he attained a Master of Education in 1969. Kimmy remained highly active with the Wilberforce University Alumni Association until his health began to decline. His accomplishments include the following at Wilberforce: Past President of WUAA Dayton Chapter, Distinguished Service Award Recipient, Member of the Presidents Club, Daniel A. Payne Society, and the Vivian F. Lewis Club.

It was in Middletown that Thomas found his other calling as a volunteer and civic activist. He immediately began volunteering at the Community Center as a tutor and soon joined the Middletown Council for Human Dignity, an organization created to improve educational, social and employment opportunities for African Americans in Middletown. In 1969, Thomas was employed by the Princeton School District where he both taught and served as guidance counselor and an advisor on race relations at the time. He also served as Assistant Principal from 1972-1973. In 1974-1976, he served as Assistant Superintendent of Education for the Ohio Youth Commission in Columbus Ohio. He then served in 1976 as the Supervisor of Student Services for the Laurel Oaks Career Development Center. His extensive career as an educator, community servant, and activist spanned decades in the Middletown Community. He also dedicated his service to the local chapter of the NAACP. Thomas was active in the Tried Stone Lodge No. 83, Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio F., and A.M. 

He was a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Morristown, NewJersey and attended Bethel A.M.E. Church in Middletown, Ohio with his family.

Thomas was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Eva Mae Kimbrough, brothers Robert, and Alfred Kimbrough, a sister, Ann Joyce Kimbrough, and a niece Ernestine “Tina” Kimbrough. He leaves to cherish his memory, a devoted son Jerome Joseph (Heather) Kimbrough of Middletown, a sister Ruby P. Jones of Morristown, N.J.; 3 grandchildren, Ayesha (Cameron) Winfrey, Aaron (Emma Simpson) Kimbrough, and Aliyah Kimbrough; 6 great-grandchildren; special niece, Charddie Kimbrough-Love, nephews, Robert and RonaldKimbrough, Terry (Diane) Kimbrough, and Barry Kimbrough,and a host of relatives, and friends. 

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