During the early morning of January 5, 2017, Thomas Everett Kimpton passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family and under the care of Hospice. He was one day shy of his 70th birthday.

Tom (Tommy) was born in Lamar, Mo. to George and Mary (Cecle) Kimpton on January 6, 1947. He moved to Tryon at the age of 15. As a freshman at Tryon High School he played football on the high school team. Only 19 players were on that team and sometimes they had to play offense and defense. Head coach Elmo Neal and secondary coach Bill Barry were very influential and Tom appreciated the wisdom these men gave into all aspects of his life.

Tom loved football – especially the Tryon High School Tigers, the North Carolina State Wolfpack and his Tennessee Volunteers.

After high school, Tom was drafted into the Army where he served 20+ years, with duty stations in Panama, Hawaii, and at the Pentagon. During this time, he met his first wife, Mary, and her 4-year-old son whom Tom soon adopted. In addition, they added a daughter to the marriage.

After retirement, Tom was self-employed in the hardware business. In 2008 he reconnected with his high school sweetheart and present wife Karol Richkus. They married in 2012.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Karol; son, Mark (Audre) of Dominica; daughter, Kimberly (Jeff) Sheloske of Polk City, Fla.; and stepson Shane Culbreth of Jacksonville, N.C.; along with five grandchildren and his brother William (Bill) (Patsy), South Carolina. Tom was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Allen (Joyce) and Richard.

Tom donated his physical body to the University of Tennessee Department of Anthropology and Forensic Sciences. He had heard that after the research is performed his remains are stored underneath Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. For eternity he will be able to see every Tennessee Volunteer home football game.

A celebration of life was held in Knoxville and a cemetery service will be held in Tryon in the spring. Memorials can be given to the Jimmy V for Cancer Research, 14600 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27513 or online at www.jimmyv.org.

Submitted by Karol Richkus Kimpton