Fountain "Budge" Kimbell
On April 7, 2024, Fountain Brodie (Budge) Kimbell, Jr. died comfortably and peacefully in his home surrounded by loving family, friends, and caregivers. Part of a “First Family” of Limestone County, Texas, he was born at home in Groesbeck on May 8, 1934, to Fountain Brodie Kimbell, Sr. and Rachel Montgomery Kimbell. Budge, a nickname given to him as a child from a favored children’s book, graduated from Groesbeck High School in 1951, from Baylor University with a BA in History in 1956, and, at age 75, received a Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from Texas Tech University.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Rachel Kimbell Moffatt, and brother-in-law Presley (Pete) Moffatt. He is survived by his children, daughter Anne-Marie Kimbell and son-in-law Dwaine Vann, daughter Kristie Kimbell and son-in-law Paul Jack, and son Ron Kimbell and daughter-in-law Tara McKee Kimbell; grandchildren Andrea Jenkins (husband Glenn Jenkins), Amanda Mauk (wife Madison Phillips), Rachel Kimbell-Jack, Brodie Kimbell-Jack, Maggie Kimbell-Jack, Ella Kimbell, Olivia Kimbell, and Megan Kimbell; great-grandchildren Rhea & Mabry Jenkins; a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families; his long-time partner, Molly O’Leary; and by his former wife and mother of his children, Margaret Standley Kimbell.
After a brief stint as a congressional liaison in Washington D.C., Budge went on to an almost 40-year career as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the Texas Commission for the Blind, where he developed many very meaningful relationships with his coworkers and with those he served. He modeled the values of compassion, empathy, equality, and justice, and he always strove to lift up all those around him, particularly those most in need.
Budge was beloved by his entire family. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and extended family. He loved and will be missed by, many friends of his own and those of his children, many of whom considered him a mentor, role model, or father figure.
He enjoyed music, reading, poetry, photography, being outdoors, dogs (and cats, and all animals, for that matter), and humor; he loved holiday traditions and any opportunity to gather with family and friends. Budge possessed a keen intellect, a quick and dry wit (“It’s a Hickory Daiquiri, Doc!”), and loved spending time in intellectual, philosophical, and spiritual conversations. He also had a really good throwing arm, and he rarely saw a new tech gadget, jacket, watch, train, lighthouse, or sportscar that he didn’t like. When it came to sports, if he was not rooting for his alma maters, the Groesbeck Goats or Baylor Bears, or whichever team his children or grandchildren were playing for, he was rooting for the underdog.
Budge loved campfires and mountains; he really enjoyed spending time in the river bottoms and fields of Limestone County and traveling with his family to Hawaii, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Port Aransas, London, and Scotland.
His family would like to recognize and thank his caregiver family: Sheri, Trina, Shae, Patricia, Clarissa, Melinda, Diana, and Jayce, and his long-time friend and neighbor, Steve.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Daddy, we love you a bushel and a peck.
¡Te amo! ¡Cuidado!