A very spiritual man, Raphiel Kimbrew Jr., of Phoenix, Arizona passed away in his sleep on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at Hallmark Assisted Living. He was born to Rayfield Kimbrew and Jessie Gish on July 23rd 1928 in Indianapolis Indiana. He was raised by Rayfield and stepmother Mary Catherine Johnson.
Raphiel is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty Lou Kimbrew and the two children born to their union: Raphiel Ellison Kimbrew of Phoenix, and Bruce Alan Kimbrew (spouse: Dr Ronni Brown) of Oakland, California. Two sisters preceded him in death, Dr. Louise Evans and Mary Catherine (Kitty) Sayles of Indianapolis Indiana. He was the proud grandfather of three grandchildren, Sydney Rae, Sean Ellis and Troy Aiden Kimbrew.
Raphiel joined the Air Force in 1946 and retired in 1973. He then went to work for the State of Arizona Department of Transportation where he retired in 1992. He confessed and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior very early in life. He was licensed on July 17, 1988 as a minister. He volunteered in the prison ministry, worked in the ministry at Luke AFB Gospel Chapel and ultimately united with Solid Rock ministry under the leadership of Reverend Lee Montague on August 11th 1996. Reverend Kimbrew was an avid baseball fan, gardener and woodworker. He also loved birds.
Raphiel leaves to mourn his wife, two sons, a daughter in law, three grandchildren, a number of nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews and numerous friends.
A visitation will be held on Thursday February 23, 2017 at Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church 9516 W. Peoria Ave. Peoria, AZ 85346 at 6:00 pm with a service following at 7:00 pm. Interment will be held Friday February 24, 2017 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85024.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Desert Southwest Alzheimer Association, 1028 East McDowell Road,Phoenix, AZ 85006, www.ALZ.ORG/donation
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