Melvin Kimzey

Funeral services for Melvin Kimzey, 74, will be Saturday, August 18, 2007 at 2:00 PM at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Milo, Iowa. Interment will be in the Plainville Cemetery near Milo. In Lieu of flowers Memorials may be directed to the Safe Haven Animal Rescue 500 Lana Dr. Cameron, MO 64429. Melvin was born July 31, 1933 to Merle and Guila (Clark) Kimzey on their family farm outside Milo, Iowa. Melvin had a twin brother, Merle, a brother, Kendrick, and sister, Enid. As a child, Melvin attended Culpepper School-a rural, one-room schoolhouse 3/4 mile from his home. Very intelligent as a child, he read every book in the little library at his school-including the classics. Melvin attended Liberty Center High School and graduated from there in 1951. He was drafted into the Korean War and was a supply clerk. During his service, he was stationed in Germany and traveled several European countries. After the War, he attended college at Iowa City-receiving a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. In the 1960's, Melvin moved to the Kansas City area and went to work for the Federal Government's Internal Revenue Service. When asked about his profession, he would answer 'I displace widows and orphans for a living.' He worked for the IRS until retirement. In the 70's, Melvin was featured in Kansas City Magazine as a participant in the city's Urban homesteading Program. He purchased and rehabbed an inner city home. He was instrumental in forming several neighborhood block watch and crime prevention programs. Prior to retirement, he purchased a farm outside Weatherby, Missouri. He commuted to his farm on weekends and moved to this farm following his retirement. Throughout his life, Melvin enjoyed the faithful companionship of his animals. His dogs: Goldie, Pooch, and Tank and his cats were dear to him. Melvin enjoyed science fiction, anime, Mental Floss and Audubon Magazines. He loved to eat and especially loved sweets. He was known throughout his family as 'the guy who would eat anything-even fruitcake!' He loved flowers and plants and took great joy in knowing he had planted the flowering bushes and fruitful trees he sat and walked under. He could grow anything. His sister Enid and her husband Gilbert gave him a seedling tree when he moved to his farm and it grew several feet a year. It now is 40 feet tall. Through his life, he collected rocks and was a member of the Gemology Society. Melvin was raised Methodist and his family attended Green Plains Methodist Church. He lived his life according to the values of Christianity and according to the values of his father, Merle Kimzey. Melvin was honest in all his interactions with others. He had integrity as was a man of his word-citing his father's words that 'if a man gives his word-he keeps it.' Melvin was trustworthy and he trusted others. He had a crusty outside layer to his personality and would pretend to be cranky or disgruntled just for fun. He had a twinkle in his eye which would let others know that he was joking. Preceding Melvin in death are his parents: Merle and Guila Kimzey; his twin brother Merle; and a sister Enid Larson. He is survived by his brother Norman Kendrick Kimzey of Hale, MO; his aunt Eldean Teague of Seaside, CA; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.