Steven Anthony Kimbley

Steven Anthony Kimbley, 45, of Clifton, passed away on Friday, June 27, 2025. A Celebration of Steve's life will be held at 1:00 P.M. Sunday, July 13, 2025 at the Meridian Civic Center. (309 W. River St. Meridian, TX 76665)

The world smiled when Steven Anthony Kimbley was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 3, 1980. And it laughed, giggled, and guffawed as he grew up in Belton, Missouri. Then it rolled on the floor in belly laughs when he came to Texas and changed the teens in that town. He caused trouble and made them love him. He fought, he roared, he rolled, and put on a show like no other.

He married a peach of a gal, Celia Estrada, he met at LensCrafters. His pop married them in 2013, at a nature preserve in East Texas. They added a glorious little gal, Tessa Kimbley Estrada, to this planet, to join their other two daughters, the wondrous Lily Fryer and the amazing Jaida Estrada.

In his journey of bringing mayhem and chuckles, he served in the U.S. Navy as a corpsman. He was awarded and recognized as an exemplary sailor. From there, he worked in the eyeglass industry, where he was promoted fast and rose quickly to leadership, bringing lightness and joy with a demand for professionalism and quality.

Then, a little over 10 years ago, he brought his antics to Texas Parks and Wildlife. He camped on-site at Tyler State Park and cleaned the toilets and ran the boathouse. He made the people of Texas smile and wave as he stalked by with a plunger in hand, marching like a leader of the band.

Again, his antics and chaotic joy brought him promotions and leadership, for though he could joke and perform with the best professional entertainer, he also knew how to lead people into excellence. And excellence he brought to the state parks of Texas. And did I mention laughter and mayhem? Yeah, that too. He fought wildfires for this state and taught many how to do the same.

Then he discovered being a part-time ranchhand in Clifton, Texas. It was his dream job: cleaning the manure out of cow haulers and shredding acre after acre with the enthusiasm of a city boy hungry for a simple life and hard work.

He fished for shark. He hunted wild hogs with a bow. And he loved his friends and was loyal to them when they weren't looking. He said many a good word about those friends and gave them the hardest time when with them, always leaving them with a firm handshake, a sincere smile, and a hug.

So he left this world better than he found it. He gave many folks love, hugs, jabs, and jokes. He was sarcastic and philosophical, and loved deeply and sought truly. He often didn't meet the expectations he held himself to, but he celebrated the victories of those around him while joking and getting to the root of the chuckle with his friends, which turned out to be almost everyone he met.

His bride, Celia, and those three girls, Tessa, Jaidaa, and Lilly, will miss him sorely, as will his mom and pop, Teresa and Michael, his two best lifelong friends and cohorts, brothers

Michael and Christopher, and his Grandmother, Rita, his aunts and uncles and cousins, and hundreds of friends. Though his passing on June 27th, 2025, brought deep sorrow to us all, our lives are richer for having traveled this road with him for a time.

Instead of sending a wreath and flowers, let’s set those funds aside to help Steve’s family in the days and years to come. You can send that to: FSSS 1115 WEST 5th St, PO BOX 69, Clifton TX 76634. Make checks payable to Michael Kimbley acct#....0919 Or send to PayPal: stevenakimbley@gmail.com