Gordon Talmage Kimbrell III

The man, the myth, the legend.  Men wanted to be him, and women wanted to be with him.  

Gordon Talmage Kimbrell III passed away on 12 February 2021, after succumbing to a six-year battle with cancer.  Gordon is survived by his loving wife Rachel London Kimbrell, two sons, Eli and Gavin, mother and stepfather Karen and Darrell James, brother Rob Kimbrell (Lara), nephew Robby and niece Grace, stepbrother Jeremy James (Joanna), nephews Lukas and  Alexander, and stepsister Jennifer James.  Gordon was preceded in death by his father Cpt USA Gordon Talmage Kimbrell Jr. and his son Gordon Talmage Kimbrell IV.

Gordon loved his country almost as much as he loved a cold beer, and as soon as he was out of high school, he rushed off to join the Marine Corps, because in his words, “it was the toughest service,” and he never shied away from a challenge. He served in the infantry and as an F/A-18 airframe mechanic, and his adventures took him around the world.  After his service to his Country and the Corps, armed with the work ethic and stamina of a draft horse, he started his own company, Emerald Coast Insurance Agency.  As the only person in the company in the beginning, he worked 12-14 hours a day, seven days a week, and twenty years later the business is thriving.  He was always proud of the fact that he made a place where wonderful people could come to work and make a good living for themselves.  Gordon had a gifted level of common sense and ingenuity and a flare for adventure and excitement.  These traits drove him to collect and maintain all his favorite toys, from Harleys, to boats, quads, jet skis, mountain bikes, fast cars, and fabricated hot rods.  He loved good food, and considered himself a master cook of BBQ, his self-proclaimed top-secret chili, all types of grilled fish, twice baked potatoes, grits, and peach cobbler. He enjoyed any activities that brought him to the water, to include boating, fishing, SCUBA diving, and spending time with his family on the islands, cruising up and down the intercoastal waterway or dining at their favorite waterfront restaurants.  One of his favorite past times was traveling this beautiful country with his family, exploring, hiking, and taking in all the beauty that She had to offer.  As a family man and friend, he was loyal to a fault and was generously giving of his time and resources to help others.   

They say the true test of a man’s character is measured by how they act under pressure or during difficult times.  Throughout his ongoing struggle with cancer, up until the very end, he never complained, got angry or felt sorry for himself.  He remained what he always was, a truly wonderful and amazing man; thankful, humble and appreciative of the outpouring of help, love and support that he and his family received.  Gordon’s most valuable gift to us all was the example he set by living life to the fullest, and never missing the opportunity to share those moments with family and friends, and genuinely appreciate the short time we have on this earth to make special memories together.

A memorial service will be held at Emerald Coast Funeral Home on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 4:00 P.M. for family and close friends. A public Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. at Emerald Coast Funeral Home.  Face masks and social distancing required in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Alaqua.

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