Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

Lonnie Buford Kimes Jr. was born in Birmingham, Alabama, to Lillie and Lonnie B. Kimes Sr. in 1947. Lonnie received his father's name, while he resembled his mother. The family was very close as Lonnie was raised with six siblings: Louis, Bernice, Mary Ann, Ernest, Melvin and Lillie. His father worked as an electrician and his mother was a homemaker. He was greatly influenced by his mother, who was a very giving woman who was filled with wisdom. At the age of three, Lonnie was hit by a car. For nine months, he was in and out of the hospital with multiple surgeries for internal injuries, but God miraculously raised him up to fulfill his mission in life. The family provided a strong religious foundation as Lonnie was baptized into Jesus Christ at Harmony Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, where the late Dr. Monroe M. Whitt prophesized Lonnie's pastoral calling. Lonnie had an inner drive for success and he was an honor student throughout his school years. By the time he reached high school, he had a great interest in sports. In fact, he was a basketball star and a great tennis player. He went on to graduate from Hayes High School in Birmingham.

In 1964, the Marine Corps offered an opportunity for college. In a buddy system with a high school friend, Lonnie voluntarily joined the United States Marine Corps. He was sent straight to Vietnam. It was difficult, as he saw combat, he was shot and he was exposed to Agent Orange. He even lost his buddy and another high school friend. During his time in the service, he wrote for the Marine Newspaper and he was a Military Policeman. During the course of his service, he served in Vietnam, Cuba, Barcelona, Spain, and the Orient. With four years of honorable service, he finished his time in the Marine Corps as a Lance Corporal. Lonnie returned home as a decorated veteran in 1968.

While working out of Camp Pendleton, he attended college in Los Angeles. He was living next door to his future wife's cousin at the time. Connie had stored a few boxes at her cousin's home when she went to get her things. Unable to find her cousin, Connie and a friend knocked on the neighbor's door and that neighbor was Lonnie. He invited them into his home, offering to find the manager to help out. Connie's friend invited him to meet them later at a club and hours later, he showed up and sat next to Connie. They danced together that night and it changed both of their lives forever. Connie and Lonnie dated for quite a while, as they enjoyed going dancing, to dinners and movies together. Six months later, he asked her to marry him. Connie wasn't quite ready. Months later, he got down on one knee and proposed with a ring in hand. Connie said, "Let me think…" and then she said, "Yes!" The couple married in a lovely chapel wedding ceremony in Inglewood.

Connie had two children, Lashawn and Larry, from a previous marriage and Lonnie was "a man's man" as they instantly became his kids. He always took care of everyone as a family. Lonnie was attending school, working at UPS, and still made the effort to take the kids to the doctors. He got involved every step of the way. It was a choice to be a family man and he embraced his roles as husband and father. When Connie discovered she was pregnant, Lonnie was thrilled. The couple welcomed their daughter, Kimberly, into the world and their family was complete with three children. Lonnie was a wonderful father to all of the kids. He taught them how to play basketball and tennis and shared his own stories of his days playing on the basketball and tennis courts. As a father, Lonnie was always encouraging his children and preparing them for the future. He encouraged them to try new things, to be independent and get an education. He also encouraged them to be their own person. Lonnie was a man of peace who taught them how to love people and as a result, his children all love people, sometimes in spite of themselves. Holidays were family oriented as they celebrated Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and birthdays together. Connie, who was like Martha Stewart, made delicious homemade cakes for birthdays. The family always put up a real tree and decorated in celebration of Christmas.

Earning a solid education was important to Lonnie. He graduated from California State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Finance and a Masters Degree in Education and Curriculum Development. Professionally, Lonnie worked at the Bank of America as a loan officer in Finance. After earning his degrees, he worked as a devoted math teacher in the Rialto Unified School District, educating all grade levels for 18 years.

When he first started teaching, he had a disagreement with the Principal. When she wrote him up, he organized his thoughts and responded to her in writing. He believed in putting his response in writing and others teachers were encouraged by his approach. They asked for his advice on how they could stand up for their beliefs as well and he inspired others to do the same. Lonnie gained respect school wide and he was appointed to represent the teachers as the spokesman. He earned dual respect, as the Principal also ended up respecting Lonnie. Reaching out to help students beyond math, he taught a Bible Study Class at Rialto High School once a week. They'd collect food for the San Bernardino Mission for children and families who were hungry. In Lonnie's world, there was always a lesson to learn and someone to help.

Growing in grace and knowledge, Connie and Lonnie were trained at Bethany Bible Institute, Los Angeles Bible College and Grace Theological Seminary. They were ordained and both became pastors, starting their own ministry in Ontario, which they ran successfully for five years. Through "The Love of Jesus Christ Ministries" they were committed to sharing the Word of God with everyone regardless of race, color, creed or religion. They were devoted to exalting Jesus Christ in Christian love. Lonnie believed in being obedient and to have faith in God's word. He preached for the community, at funerals, weddings, and even on the radio. He reached people with God's word on every level.

On a personal level, he had a wonderful marriage. For the couple, there were special vacations over the years. Connie and Lonnie traveled to Hawaii, the Caribbean, Arizona and other states. When it came to food, Lonnie loved Connie's Southern home cooking. He liked to be the "Director" and even liked to direct in the kitchen, but there is a sign in the kitchen that says it all: "Connie's kitchen." He simply loved to be a part of the process as he enjoyed recipes from his childhood. He loved Louisiana sausage hot links, fish, tacos, Chinese food, Soul Food, and everything went better with bacon. His favorite beverages were grape juice and mango juice.

He loved reading books and was always quoting the Bible and people he knew, because he was a man of wisdom. He read books from the Bible bookstores and his favorite books of the Bible were Proverbs and Psalms. He also read secular books as he was always self-educating. As a grandfather, Lonnie loved his grandchildren. He especially enjoyed teaching his grandboys how to play basketball as he was into sports. Lonnie loved music, especially Gospel songs by Donnie McClurkin. He also enjoyed 70s classic rock and the oldies but goodies. He was multi-talented and he wrote his own love songs in the 70s. More recently, he wrote a book about the incredible journey of his life in a memoir. His wife hopes to get it published in his memory.

Lonnie learned lessons and shared them with his family. When he went for gas one time, he met a lady who asked him for spare change. She explained that her husband had died and she needed something to eat. Lonnie emptied his wallet and gave all of the money he had to the lady. Her story had a great impact on him and he went home and told his wife he would make sure they were prepared if something happened to him. He followed through and planned for the future.

Over the last decade, Lonnie went through so very much and Connie was by his side every step of the way. In 2000, he didn't want to stop teaching, but it was clear that he needed to take care of himself. He finally agreed to take some time off to get well. Together Connie and Lonnie prayed and counted on their faith, while also going through every medical treatment available. With many surgeries and chemotherapy treatments, Connie cared for Lonnie full-time. They prayed, fasted, turned to TV ministries and their church. Most importantly, they turned to their Christian friends and family and prayed with them through every medical hurdle. No matter what they faced, Lonnie's purpose in life remained intact: To give glory to Jesus and reach out to people on so many levels. Lonnie was a giver in life and that would never change whether he was facing Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer or not. He told his family, "I'm not worried about dying." He and Connie knew that they were going to heaven because of the words in John 3:16 from the Bible:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

After going through so much physically, Lonnie's last request was, "I want to go home." His family honored his wishes and brought him home around 6:00 pm in the evening. His daughter, Kimberly, read to him and they played his favorite Gospel music. Everyone camped out at the house for as long as it would take. Hours later, just before his last breath, he turned his head and looked at Connie and she believes that God gave him enough strength to look at her one more time. Around 1:00 am the next morning, he passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren.

For Connie, she will miss Lonnie's love, his presence, and wisdom. From the beginning, he took care of his family as an excellent provider. He was a wonderful father who was always preaching, teaching and giving his children wisdom. Connie thanks God for giving her a Christian husband who loved Jesus, read the Bible, prayed on his knees and believed in God's word. He was faithful and obedient to God's word and simply, a good Christian man who loved the Lord so much. Connie says: "God knows best and it was Lonnie's time to go, His will be done. God has a mission for me to do his work and give back and I will find my mission. Life isn't about material things, that's just stuff. Lonnie doesn't need all that stuff now. For Lonnie, going to heaven is like a graduation to somewhere bigger and better. We knew we would be reunited again one day."

Lonnie Kimes Jr. will be remembered a director, an educator and a pastor with a giving heart. He was a man who helped children and the community, while he also was devoted to providing for his family. As he continued giving back and witnessing for the Lord, he also made sure his family was taken care of. He was so proud of his children who followed in his footsteps in different ways. Lashawn works for the school district. Larry works with his hands in construction. And, Kimberly became a nurse. Two of his grandsons, Evan and Tyler, became nurses as well. Each family member has found a way to give back in their own way. The biggest lesson that Kimberly learned from her father: Never stop learning, never stop pursuing your aspirations, and find your mission. She found her mission in nursing.

Lonnie's advice to everyone now would be: I'm with the Lord. I'm happy and peaceful. You go on with your lives and serve the Lord.

For his funeral, Lonnie requested the song "In the Arms of an Angel" by Sarah McLachlan to play. His wish was to have his church funeral services at Forest Lawn in Covina and to be buried with his fellow soldiers at Riverside National Cemetery. His family will honor his wishes as they celebrate that Pastor Lonnie B. Kimes Jr. was truly a gift from God. Lonnie has a new mission now…

Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents Lillie and Lonnie Sr.; and his sister Bernice. He is loved and remembered by his wife Connie; children Lashawn, Larry and Kimberly; siblings Louis, Mary Ann, Ernest, Melvin and Lillie; many grandchildren and friends.