John Wimberley

John Wimberley, 68, of Amarillo, Texas passed away on August 14, 2023.

John was born in Littlefield, Texas on January 16, 1955, to Earlyne and John Overton Wimberley. He graduated from Littlefield High School and went on to attend Texas Tech University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Range and Wildlife Conservation. He worked as District Conservationist for the USDA for 33 years until he retired.   Retirement wasn’t for John though, so in 2013, he went to work for TxDOT as an environmental coordinator.

John married Kayla Newberg on August 27, 1983, in Farmington, New Mexico. After Farmington, they lived in Stinnett and Claude, TX, before settling in Amarillo. Together they had three children, Isaac, Meredith, and Lauren. John’s family meant the world to him. He loved being Pops to his three grandchildren. He loved fiercely, made us all laugh, treasured quality time with his grands, and was the best role model to our family.  He loved God first and there is no doubt that he raced into the arms of Jesus.

John was happiest outdoors, especially hiking mountains, jogging, biking, hunting, and fishing.  Hunting with his son, Isaac, was one of his greatest joys.  An avid sports fan, John loved the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. But his most recent favorite sport to watch was his grandson, Asher, playing baseball.  When he wasn’t watching sports on TV, John could be found watching the weather channel. He kept a close eye on the weather and was always letting his family know when storms were coming. He especially loved stormy weather and was fascinated by tornadoes.

John grew up going to church and he loved Jesus all his life.  He lived his faith through the way he loved his family and friends, singing worship songs, and serving others.  He was currently a member of Southwest Church of Christ where he sang on the praise team and volunteered in various ministries. One of his favorites was his Wednesday night work with the Hali Project and the friends he made there. John also served on the board for High Plains Children’s Home where he was currently the president.

John was talented at many things and had lots of interests.  He loved taking pictures of windmills at sunset, was a gifted guitarist, exceptional woodworker, and had encyclopedic knowledge of local flora, giving him the uncanny ability to identify most any plant.

John was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Vickie Bolton.

He is survived by his wife, Kayla Wimberley; children, Isaac Wimberley and wife Kayla, Meredith Tanner and husband Blake, and Lauren Strickland and husband Dave; grandchildren, Sawyer Wimberley, Asher Wimberley, and Oliver Strickland; and sister, Connie Roach and husband Joe.

Memorial services will be at 10:30 A.M., Friday, August 18, 2023, at Southwest Church of Christ. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, Amarillo.

The family suggests memorials be made to High Plains Children’s Home, PO Box 7448, Amarillo, Texas 79114.