My father, Marlon Kimbrough

As the sun rose on the morning of October 27th, the book of Marlon Kimbrough closed its final chapter. His life—a narrative written in 65 years—found its conclusion, outpaced by the unyielding and swift-footed cancer that refused to slow its dance.

I extend my hand to you, not just as Marlon's offspring, but as a medium through which our communal power can coalesce. I'm inviting you to contribute to the mosaic of compassion needed to finance the farewell he deserves. Every contribution will resonate as a chord in the composition of his eternal memory.

Yet, understand this isn't solely about him. This moment serves as an act of homage to myself, my ancestors, and the familial tapestry woven through generations. Though Marlon and I shared more of a distant kinship than a father-child bond, the gravitational pull of his later-in-life support gave orbit to my ambitions, my matrimonial journey, and the entrepreneurial fires that fuel Planetfirebomb. It's a fitting way to honor him, while also allowing me to find some closure and lay one more stepping stone on my own celestial path.

Marlon was not just a man, but a complex melody of human experiences. His love enveloped his friends and family, comforting like an old hymn, etched in the grooves of an ancestral vinyl. Athleticism was his poetry, and his zest for life a saga told in jubilant laughs and random, joyful interactions.

His influence on his nieces and nephews cannot be overstated—it was a well of wisdom, an anthology of life lessons. The light in his eyes, once bright when he'd burst into song or dance, has dimmed, but we—the carriers of his legacy—continue to hold that light aloft.

On behalf of the Kimbrough family, we lay down a prelude of gratitude. Your financial contributions will serve as the bedrock upon which we build our emotional resilience, a citadel of collective strength that helps us traverse this chasm of grief.

Marlon Kimbrough June 30th, 1958 - October 27, 2023

November 9th edit:

Apologies for the radio silence. As you can imagine, responding has taken a back seat in this grand, macabre theatre of the world's endgame. A standing ovation is due to each soul who's reached out, who's donated, who's shared a piece of their spirit or simply stood with me in the trenches. The halfway mark to our goal glimmers on the horizon, and we're almost ready for the next act.

Family drama, on the other hand, is its own peculiar show. I've been cast as the defiant one for choosing to honor my father in a way that breaks with tradition. It seems even in mourning, the specter of old grudges looms large.

Again, thank you for your support and encouragement through all of this. It’s truly appreciated!

November 11th edit:

Engine died last night so hopefully @Kia and @LutherAuto deems me eligible for this 2016 sorento engine recall. Especially because I just got it in May

Any further money toward the goal would still be for the memorial, only now it would include a rental car as well ✨