Johnny Kimmell passed away at Stephenville Care Center on Tuesday, October, 22, 2013. He was born November 10, 1961 in Gorman, Texas to Darrell and Margaret Files Kimmell. He was married to the late Kristy Brownfield Kimmell.

After graduating from De Leon High School in 1980, he moved to the Texas panhandle to pursue his dream of being a true western cowboy. He worked on a number of the large ranches in Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma and New Mexico including the Morehouse Ranch, the Spike Box Ranch, the Pitchfork Ranch and the TO Ranch. He earned the reputation of being a "top hand" and neighbored with other ranches in the area including the 6666 Ranch, the JA Ranch, and the Masterson Ranch.

He was a true horseman having a natural ability to get the best out of a horse.

He participated in the Ranch Hand Rodeo in Wichita Falls Texas for several years, winning the team roping and the team penning events. Johnny's picture was published in several books on the life of the cowboy including "Last of a Breed – portraits of Working Cowboys", "Pitchfork Country – the Photography of Bob Morehouse", "Ranching Traditions" and "A Day in the Life of a Cowboy". He was also in several articles in the Western Horseman written about cowboy ways and was featured in the 1993 Western Horseman calendar.

Johnny loved his cowboy life, especially going out with the wagon on spring and fall roundup, team roping and Saturday night dancing. He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing 42 and fishing.

Surviving Johnny are his parents Darrell and Margaret Kimmell, brother Randal Kimmell and wife Jodie, sister Marsha Marchbanks and husband Ron, sister Sherry Morian and husband Dennis, sister Tammy Davis and husband Benny, nephew Kyle Kimmell, nephew Brandon Davis and wife Emily and baby James, nephew Dustin Davis, niece Courtney Davis, niece Valerie Paul and grandmother Myrtle Kimmell.

Johnny was preceded in death by nephew Cory Kimmell and numerous grandparents.

Graveside funeral services were held Friday, October 25, 2013, at 3:00 p.m. in Victor Cemetery. Brother Kenneth Wilson officiated the service and close family friend, Danny Thiebaud, assisted. Honorary pallbearers were Ronnie Quinn, Andy Quinn, Kenneth Quinn, Roger Winkles, Danny Thiebaud, Johnny Golden, Jackie Golden and Roy Kubiak.