Bud Kimbro

Arnel Ray “Bud” Kimbro, 80, of Ridgway, Illinois, passed away after an extended illness on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at the Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, Indiana.  Bud was born in Ridgway on June 13, 1943, born to the late William Elmer and Charlotte Elizabeth (Perry) Kimbro.  He married the former Margaret Susan Scates on December 5, 1964.  Bud was a coal miner for twenty-two years at the Peabody Coal Company.  Also he was a police officer for forty-five years for the City of Ridgway and served under five Gallatin County Sheriffs.  Bud was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.  He was a member of the St. Kateri Catholic Church, life member of the Ridgway Knight of Columbus - L.A. Lambert Council and a fifty year member of Ridgway Masonic Lodge #816.  Bud is survived by Sue Kimbro of Ridgway; four sons, Billy Ray and Debbie Kimbro of Carlinville, Donnie Ray Kimbro of Tennessee, James John “J.J.” Kimbro of Ridgway, Benjamin Joseph “B.J.” and Valerie Kimbro of Belleville; eight grandchildren, Kaetlin, Darian, Kallisti, Degan, Alaric, Fredrick “Fritz”, Christina, and Charlie; four great grandchildren, Ragnar, Max, Charlie, and Faelyn.  He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Jerri Macannaly, Ester Johnson, Mary Zirkelbach; four brothers, Jackie, Jim, and Donnie Kimbro, Charles Frailey.  Visitation for Bud will be held on Friday, May 17th from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Vickery Funeral Chapel in Ridgway.  Funeral Mass on Saturday, May 18th at 10 a.m. at the St. Kateri Catholic Church in Ridgway with Father Christian Iwuagwu officiating.  Burial will follow at the Crawford Campground Cemetery with military rites by the Gallatin County Honors Team.  In lieu of flowers donations in Bud’s memory may be made to the Crawford Campground Cemetery or the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.