Clarence Finn Kimbro of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee

November 24, 1936 - October 1, 2022

Obituary for Clarence Finn Kimbro

Clarence Finn Kimbro (Nov. 24, 1936-Oct. 1, 2022), 85, a native Nashvillian, passed peacefully to his heavenly home Oct. 1, 2022, after four months of extended illness. He was the son of deceased parents, Katherine Elizabeth Woods Kimbro and William Hipp Kimbro, Sr., of Nashville. Also deceased are his older brother William H. (Bill) Kimbro, Jr. (Betty Lou) of Nashville; and his younger sister and brother-in-law, Martha E. Kimbro Elrod (Artis) of Nashville. He has one surviving brother, John J. Kimbro (Tana) of Bellevue.

Clarence was a loving, devoted husband to his surviving wife of 57 years, Eleanor Joan Ponder Kimbro of Mt. Juliet and a loving father of his three surviving children, Duncan F. Kimbro (Susan) of Franklin, Ellen Clare Kimbro of White House, and Douglas Finn Kimbro of Gallatin. He has two surviving grandchildren, Grace Elizabeth Kimbro of Birmingham, AL., and Conor Finn Conrad Kimbro, a student residing at the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa.

Clarence enjoyed so much talking with his surviving Nashville-area nieces and nephew about their Kimbro ancestry, including Kathy Elrod Arnold (Dennis) of Bellevue, Lisa Elrod Bennett (Vernon) of Nashville, and Art Elrod of Nashville. He dearly loved being with all of his extended family at Thanksgiving gatherings and at annual family reunions throughout the years in Starkville, Miss., including his surviving sister-in-law Carolyn Ponder Rogers (Randall) of Auburn, Ala., and his three surviving nieces, Melanie Rogers of Nashville, Tara Rogers Viars (Michael), currently residing in India, and Reid Katherine Rogers Fuller (Joshua) of Auburn., and their children; his surviving brother-in-law, Forrest J. Ponder of Starkville, Miss.; and his wife Joan’s deceased parents, Marvin Ponder and Beulah Duncan Ponder of Starkville, both of whom had nine brothers and sisters. In fact, Clarence attributed the beginnings of his spiritual growth to his mother-in-law Beulah Duncan Ponder, whose prayer for others and love of reading scripture influenced him to do the same.

Clarence served his country for three years in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Malibu, Calif., and manned the operations desk of the United States’ first guided missiles. He later earned an Associates Degree in Data Processing and retired from Textron Aerostructures in Nashville, where he was a shift Supervisor of Computer Operations. He later started a lawn care business in which he worked for a few years until deciding at the birth of his first grandchild to retire so that “Poppy” and his dog, Megan, could care for Grace Elizabeth for several months while his daughter-in-law, Susan, completed her doctorate degree. That time with Gracie as an infant was precious to him. He often drove to Franklin to babysit her and her brother, Conor Finn, his grandson.  When visiting Clarence and Joan, they often took them bowling, for play time at Charlie Daniels Park in Mt. Juliet, picnicking at Two Rivers Park and walks across the Cumberland River, and watching lots of cartoons together and reading favorite “Sweet Pickles” books that they read to their own children when they were little.

Fishing on Old Hickory Lake at Shutes Branch and in Cedar Creek in a flat boat was a favorite pastime in his earlier years—before the children’s activities of soccer, Scouts, kung fu, and band concerts came along—and in a kayak in later years. He also could be found at the gym before he married lifting weights with his oldest friend, Ted Tiesler (Betty). Don Mangrum (Barb) also was a devoted, lifelong friend.

Clarence was a beloved and active member of the Mt. Juliet Faith is the Victory Church for many years before the COVID-19 pandemic began, having monthly witnessed to residents of Mt. Juliet with the church’s Soul Winners ministry either by praying at that hour at the church or in hands-on witnessing activities. He demonstrated the Father’s love for downtrodden and homeless people by serving for a time later in life at the Nashville Rescue Mission/Habitat for Humanity in whatever capacity was needed and as a counselor and Bible Study teacher there to the homeless. He also worked as a prison minister for many years, routinely visiting Middle Tennessee prisons to host Bible studies for inmates.

Clarence was truly a devoted Christian, tithing of his time and his earnings by praying for his family, his church family, and our governmental officials while also being an avid reader of God’s word, the Bible. He readily shared scripture with anyone who would listen. He also was an avid reader for many years of fiction (mainly mysteries by Christian authors and historical fiction) and historical non-fiction that he borrowed from the Mt. Juliet-Wilson Co. Public Library and the Hermitage branch of the Nashville Public Library, both of which he visited on a weekly basis for many years; most recently, he kept up with his favorite authors’ works on his iPad, sports news on websites “GoVols” and the Tennessee Titans, and his favorite Christian ministers online, especially American Messianic Jewish Minister Jonathan Cahn’s daily devotions on the Hope of the World website.

Following a graveside service for family, a Celebration of Life service for family and friends will be held Saturday, Oct. 8 at 12:30pm at Mt. Juliet Faith is the Victory Church, 1491 North Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet, Tenn., 37122. Visitation with the family will take place before the service from 12:00 - 12:30pm.