More detail on this person: ABILENE - Retired Lt. Col. Jimmie Truett Brinkley, 68, died Saturday,
Dec. 30, 2006.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church Chapel with Dr. Phil Christopher, senior
pastor, officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in the Field of Honor in Elliott-Hamil
Garden of Memories Cemetery directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory.
Retired Lt. Col. Jimmie Truett Brinkley, a decorated combat officer who always said he loved being a
soldier in the U.S. Army, but that he "loved being a soldier in the Lord's Army more," went to be
with the Lord on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006. Brinkley passed away at his Abilene home at the age of 68.
Brinkley was born Aug. 29, 1938, near Bailey, and graduated from high school in Kress. He graduated
from West Texas State University at Canyon in 1961 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the
Army through college ROTC. Brinkley completed two tours in Vietnam, totaling more than 3,000 flying
hours in combat. After Vietnam, he was an assistant professor of military science at Hardin-Simmons
University where he also earned a master's degree in guidance and counseling. Brinkley retired with
more than 20 years of Army active duty and surrendered to the Lord's calling to full-time Christian
service.
He served as administrator of Aspendale Baptist Encampment in Cloudcroft, N.M., for three years as a
Mission Service Corps Volunteer. Brinkley then held the same position at Big Country Baptist
Assembly in Lueders for 11½ years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jewel Truett and Ollie Belle Brinkley; and a sister, Mattie
Lois Brinkley.
Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Donna; two sons, David Brinkley and Tim Brinkley, both of
Abilene; a daughter, Jill Ekdahl and husband John of Stamford; a grandson, Truett Ekdahl of
Stamford; three sisters, Eloise West and husband Gene of Lubbock, Elaine O'Daniel and husband Mark
of Hart and Connie Heard and husband Doug of Murphy.
The family suggests memorials be to God's Little Ones Daycare Center or to City Light Community
Ministries, both in care of First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 85, Abilene, TX 79604.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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