Louis Metz Kimbrell Sr., 93

Louis Metz Kimbrell Sr., 93, passed away Aug. 11, 2017, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Louis was born on April 21, 1924, to Johnny and Maggie Kimbrell in Townley, Alabama. His father worked for the coal mines and the family moved from Alabama to Harlan, Kentucky, when Louis was a small child. He had many stories about the adventures he would have in “the Hollers” with the “company town kids.”

Louis enlisted in the Army following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He fought in the Pacific as a paratrooper with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, making combat jumps on New Guinea and the Philippine island of Corregidor. He remained on active duty following the war, and retired after 26 years of service. During his time in the military he served at numerous locations stateside, in Europe and Asia. He received numerous awards and decorations during his time in the Army, to include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

In December 1948, he met the girl of his dreams, Venetta Anderson. They got married on Jan. 14, 1949, after only knowing each other for two weeks. They were married 68 years and raised five children, Linda, Louis Jr., Timothy, Susan and Leila.

After moving around the world throughout his career, the family moved to Kalispell (where Venetta was from) in 1968. Louis began working for the city of Kalispell and retired a second time in 1986. After this final retirement Louis and Venetta enjoyed camping, fishing and spending time with their family. He enjoyed keeping cute decorations in their yard and would repair them with his masterful skill of Duct Tape. To this day it puts a smile on his children’s faces when we think about this. He was a true Atlanta Braves fan, watching every game during the season. He was also a longtime member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church.

Following a bad injury in 2011 he moved to the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Venetta, his son Timothy, his great-granddaughter Laykin Humphreys, and his beloved dog Ringo.

Louis is survived by his children, Linda (Bill) Kral of Nobleford, Alberta, Louis Jr. (Anne) of Kalispell, Susan (Kelly) Hartman of Kalispell, and Leila (James) Lockwood of Kalispell; 10 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren; his sister, Ruth Parmerlee, of Indianapolis, Indiana; his sister-in-law,Orletta Lovell, of Kalispell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 18, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow visitation at 11:30 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the Montana Veterans Home and its staff for the wonderful care that Louis received, as well as the staff of Kalispell Regional Medical Center, the emergency room, and Dr. Sarah Robinson.

As Dad was famous for saying, “You never get out of this world alive!”

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the Kimbrell family.