Mr. James Lynn "Jay" Kimbro

James Lynn Kimbro, 43, of Albany, Georgia, hit the streets of gold in full stride on July 13, 2022, with his sudden passing. “Jay” came roaring into the world on February 20th, 1979 much to the delight of his parents Alan and Jan Kimbro and big brother, Wright at Upson County Hospital in Thomaston, Georgia. He spent his early childhood in Barnesville, Georgia until moving to Sylvester, Georgia in 1987. Jay was a 1997 graduate of Worth County High School where he was a multi-sport athlete and heavily involved in as much fun and mischief as he could possibly stand. After high school, Jaybird headed off to the University of Georgia where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, IFC President, UGA Homecoming King, Greek Horseman, and Gridiron Secret Society. His interactions were not limited to organizations as he made sure to befriend every person he could on a daily basis. As a passionate Dawg fan, being at UGA was only the beginning of a life-long love obsession with UGA Football. After graduating from UGA with a B.S. in Risk Management and Insurance, it was time to find his eventual career path. Jay’s professional career started in 2002 as a high school teacher at Crisp County High School. He then took a sub-agent position at Jeffrey Jeffords State Farm in Sylvester from 2003-2005, where he found his calling as an eventual State Farm Agent. Jay would then become one of the youngest State Farm Agents ever as he started Jay Kimbro State Farm in Albany from 2005-2011. Jay would also start his first business as he founded the company Shred-Ex that would not only survive, but thrive until selling it as a very profitable venture in 2008. The success of Shred-Ex would further propel Jay’s immense business success as he would become a founder of Microf, serving as President and Chairman of the Board until his passing. Concurrently, he founded Jay Kimbro Properties, Big Brother Outdoors, and was a partner in Jam Capital and Global HQ. Even with his busy career and various business ventures, he loved to find time to bone and fly fish, deer hunt, travel the world, and spend time with the people that mattered most - his family and friends. Jay was a member of Doublegate Country Club in Albany, Georgia, and received the distinct honor of being inducted as a Yeomen into the Beefeater Club in 2017. He was also a founding member of The 7 and an all around Neat Dude. To say that Jay loved big is to highly understate the way he lived life. Jay lived big, cared big, and loved BIG. Those who knew him admired his tender heart, his thrill for life, and his big ole bear hugs. Jay worked hard and loved his businesses with an intense passion. His fervor and dedication for success and achievement was unmatched. As much as he strived for business perfection, he also lived life to the fullest and got more out of life in his 43 years than those years intended. Jay was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Wynelle Greene Bass, Thurmond Lee Farrar, and Aaron V. Bass, his paternal grandparents Lanelle Kimbro Parr, Lemuel Wright Parr, and Emory Frank Kimbro. Jay was also preceded in death by Kathleen Naylor. Jay is survived by his best friend, soulmate, and the love of his life, Kathy, daughter Kathleen Cooper, and her step father Wayne Naylor, parents Alan and Jan Kimbro, big brother Wright and his wife Stephanie and their five children; Wright Jr., Kennedy, Worth, Gatlin, and Fendley, James and Jessica Whitley and their two children Britten and Bronson. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. We can’t forget his two incredibly special pups, GG and Dookie-Duke, who were on his lap or by his side whenever he sat down. Visitation is to be held at Banks Funeral Home on July 21st from 5:00-7:00 PM. A pre-service visitation will be held at Unity Baptist Church, in Sylvester, Georgia on July 22nd from 2:00-3:00 PM with the memorial service to follow at 3:00 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held in Athens, Georgia at a later date, and will be announced once plans have been made. GO DAWGS! In lieu of flowers please feel free to make donations/check payable to UGA Athletic Association for the Jay Kimbro Fund. Donations/Checks can be sent to UGA Athletic Association, PO Box 1472, Athens, GA 30603. Please sign our online guest registry at www.banksfh.com. Banks Funeral Home in Sylvester is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. James Lynn "Jay" Kimbro

February 20, 1979 - July 13, 2022