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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Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023
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