James Richard Kimsey Sr.

Richard Kimsey, Sr., 82, of Abbeville, husband of Emily Wilkerson Kimsey, died Friday, March 17, 2017, at his residence.  He was born in Calhoun Falls to the late Charlie H. Kimsey and Ruth Saxon Kimsey. Mr. Kimsey graduated from Piedmont Technical College with a degree in Electrical Engineering.  He was honored to serve his country in the United States Army.  Mr. Kimsey retired from Pirelli Cable with 30 years of dedicated service as a maintenance electrician.  He was a devoted member of South Side Baptist Church and the Lamplighters.   A gentle, kindhearted man, who loved his family, he lived an exemplary life that will influence those whom he has touched.  Happy times were spent camping and traveling with his wife and their many friends.  Bojangles will miss a very loyal customer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Martha Weeks and a brother, J.C. Kimsey. Mr. Kimsey is survived by his wife, Emily, of 62 years of the home; two sons, Ricky Kimsey and Tracy Kimsey (Chrystal) and a daughter, Pam Kimsey Latham (Bruce) all of Abbeville; four brothers, Robert Kimsey (Libby), Harold Kimsey, and Larry Kimsey (Cindy), all of Calhoun Falls and Wayne Kimsey (Phyllis) of Elberton, GA; two sisters, Mildred McConaha of Dallas, GA and Merreleen Harris (Pete) of Elberton, GA; five grandchildren , Mallory Latham (Josh), Kalen Latham (Heather), Kendall Kimsey, Cheyenne Ratliff and Lee Ratliff; one great-grandson, Gage Latham. The family will receive friends 4:30PM – 5:30PM, Monday, March 20, 2017 at South Side Baptist Church. A Service to Celebrate Mr. Kimsey’s Life, with Military Honors, will begin at 6:00PM on Monday in the church sanctuary with Rev. Earl Hartley and Rev. Zack Little officiating.       Memorial contributions, in memory of Mr. Kimsey, may be sent to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646 or South Side Baptist Church, PO Box 237, Abbeville, SC 29620. The family is at the home in Abbeville. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com . Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Abbeville is assisting the Kimsey family.