John (Bob) Robert Kimbro

John (Bob) Robert Kimbro, 96, of Nashville, passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2024. He was born to the late John Robert and Pauline Youree Kimbro in Nashville on May 28, 1927. Growing up, Bob was gifted in sports. He helped his team win the city championships in basketball in 1945 and 1946. Bob was named Mr. “O” by the Tennessean as an outstanding basketball player. Anyone he guarded on the basketball court could not score. Following graduation, Bob enlisted in the US Army where he served as a Tech Sergeant in Japan. He was in charge of a manufacturing factory preparing weapons for storage. After an honorable discharge, Bob worked at McKesson and Robbins joining WSM-TV in 1950. There Bob worked with the first national TV broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium. Throughout his career, Bob met and worked with many of the original Grand Ole Opry stars including Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, and Hank Williams just to name a few. Bob worked to establish cable TV in Tennessee. Bob continued his career with the Grand Ole Opry at Opryland where he was house manager. 

Bob retired to his farm where he raised commercial cattle. He developed a passion for playing golf with his schoolmates from NHS and traveling over the world with his wife of 68 years.

Bob was blessed with a gentle spirit, a keen intellect, and a lively sense of humor. He was highly regarded by all who knew him. Everyone who knew him was touched by his humor and conviction. Bob leaves behind a legacy of integrity, love, and service to his family and community. He was a friend in faith to numerous young people. He was a long-time member of New Bethel United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Terry Turner Kimbro; Pauline (daughter) and Carl DiProjetto; Kathleen B Kimbro (daughter); grandchildren, Tessa Rubin, Wendy and Jim Thomas, and Carl DiProjetto, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Ryder Rubin, Jack Rubin, Max and Jake Eismann, and Madison Thomas.

The family will receive friends from 11:00AM until 12:00PM on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at West Harpeth Funeral Home located at 6962 Charlotte Pike in Nashville. Services will begin at 12:00PM. Following the service, Bob will be laid to rest in the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Charlie Powell, Frank Grace, Jr., Joe Bandy, E. W. Wendell, and Carl DiProjetto.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Nashville Steam at nashvillesteam.org in Bob’s honor.