Melvin Kimbrough Sr.

Melvin Kimbrough, Sr. knew how to connect with people from all walks of life. A true people person, he knew how to put others at ease and was more than willing to help where he saw a need. Melvin served his country as a courageous solider, his community as a respected businessman, and his family as a loving and devoted father, grandfather and companion. He tried every day to be the best man he could, and was rewarded with a life of happiness for his efforts. 1938 was a year of events and accomplishments in the United States. President Roosevelt signed the Fair Standards Act, raising the minimum wage for all Americans; while the entertainment world celebrated the release of the film version of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, and the nation trembled in fear as they listened to Orson Welles broadcast his infamous War of the Worlds on the radio. In the foothills of Pine Mountain in Remlap, Alabama, Jacob and Edith (Creel) Kimbrough were focusing on something a little closer to home, the impending arrival of their sixth child. On March 1, 1938, the couple delighted in welcoming the birth of their son, Melvin. The Kimbrough household would eventually become a lively family of 10 children: Robert, John, Cecil, Joseph, Sam, Melvin, Margaret, William, Shirley and Ernest. Along with his siblings, Melvin grew up on their farm, which his father worked to support their very large family. Tragically, his father died when Melvin was only 7, leaving his mother alone to raise 10 children. Eventually, his mother remarried, at which time Melvin and his brother Sam went to live with their oldest brother, Robert. Living on a farm, Melvin grew up with an appreciation for hard work. At a young age, he worked in the fields and sawmill, but had to leave at the age of 15 after he cut a finger off in an accident. He then dropped out of Oneonta High School in order to enlist in the U.S. Army, though he had to lie about his age to do so since he was only 15. When his mother found out a few months later, she had him discharged and sent home. Melvin then moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan with some family friends and went to work in the Gypsum Mines. One day while out cruising with his buddy, Melvin passed a pretty young lady on the road and decided to follow her to the Humpty-Dumpty Chicken Diner. Her name was Ruth Nichols and he waited outside for her so he could ask her out. Unfortunately, Ruth said "no"- so Melvin and his buddy followed her to the shoe store, where he asked her out again. This time Ruth agreed to go to the movies with him just so he would stop bugging her. While dating, Melvin and Ruth found they both loved country music. Melvin enjoyed singing it too, and had quite a good ole honky-tonk voice. He and Ruth frequented the bar called The Pad, and here they met many famous country singers over time, including the Everly Brothers, Mel Tillis, Johnny Cash, George Jones, just to name a few. Melvin became good friends with Mel Tillis and they traveled to Nashville several times together. Melvin even recorded three of his own records on which Elvis drummer accompanied him. Melvin had a plethora of memories he could tell of his experiences with his famous friends. One of his favorites, however, was when he and Mel Tillis stopped at Tootsies Lounge and Mel Tillis fell asleep while eating and fell face first into his bowl of chili. In 1961, Melvin received his draft notice from the Army National Guard Reserves and was on active duty for 4 years. Shortly before his honorable discharge in 1965, Melvin was injured and lost 2 fingers. Once home, Melvin decided a 10-year courtship with his sweetheart was long enough and asked Ruth to be his wife. They were happily married in 1966, and were blessed with two wonderful children: Lora and Melvin Jr. Melvin was a proud father and although they had a very busy family life, he always made time for his children. He was involved with Boy Scouts with Melvin Jr., and the family enjoyed camping on occasion. To support their family, Melvin was the Union Stewart for the City of Grand Rapids, while Ruth worked at General Motors. After some time, the couple became entrepreneurs and bought a car lot in Grand Rapids, and also managed rental properties. They eventually sold the car lot, and moved to Muskegon in 1971, where they purchased a bar named Pine Street Tavern. They also owned a building in the Wolf Lake area that the couple painted pink and it became the Pink Panther Pool Hall, a place for young teens to hangout. Wanting to get back into the car business, the couple sold the Pink Panther and opened a car lot on Apple Avenue called Mels Auto Sales. It was around this time that Melvin began having health problems for which he underwent several surgeries. Despite his ailments, Melvin and Ruth tried to sell the Pine Street Tavern on Land Contract, which took a while before finalized, and then Melvin bought the Red Rooster Tavern in 1981, and eventually sold in 1986. In 1988, Melvin and Ruths 22-year marriage ended in divorce. While Ruth took over the used car lot, Melvin continued in the rental business and became actively involved in the local VFW. He found great happiness in helping those less fortunate and in need. It wasnt long before Melvin met a wonderful lady named Carolyn Pope, and they have been together ever since. Because of his poor health, Carolyn was a loving caregiver to Melvin until his end. Family was always very important to Melvin, and nothing made him happier than to spend time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom he adored. For his 61st birthday, Melvins son took him to Soaring Eagle Casino to see his old friend, Mel Tillis, perform, and he even sang happy birthday to him too. This left a treasured memory in Melvins heart. Melvin will be deeply missed by his family, but they will forever cherish the music he made, and carry on his love of country music. Melvin D. Kimbrough, age 71 of Muskegon, MI died on Sunday, October 11, 2009. He is survived by his son, Melvin Kimbrough, Jr.; daughter, Lora (Gordy) Davis; grandchildren, Jennifer, Tabitha, Lauren, Jacob; great grandchildren, Cameron, Kevin, GraceLyn; former spouse, Ruth Kimbrough; stepchildren, Linda special friend & caregiver, Carolyn Pope. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers. Services for Melvin will be on Thursday, October 15, at 1:00 p.m. in Clock Chapel at Clock Life Story Funeral Home Muskegon, with Rev. Ken Shady officiating and Military Honors under the Auspices of the Muskegon County Council of Veterans. Visitation will be on Thursday, 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Please visit Melvins personal memory page at www.clockfuneralhome.com where you may share a memory with his family or sign his online guest book.