Herman Vernell Kilgore

Herman Vernell Kilgore, Sr., was born on the 9th of January, 1949, in Smackover, Arkansas, to Herman Lee Kilgore and Lonnie Mae Burns. He was the eldest child of this union. Herman accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at 12 years old in West Helena, AR, at Second Baptist Church.

Herman attended school in West Helena, AR, and graduated from Eliza Miller High School in 1966. Upon graduating from Miller High, he attended Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN, where he was a proud Tiger. While at Tennessee State, he studied mechanical engineering. During summers while in college, Herman worked at Consumers Power Company in Jackson, MI. He later worked as a mechanical engineer at McDonald Douglas in Los Angeles, CA, and often spoke to his children about "the good days" in LA.

"Pops," as his children so lovingly called him, didn't know a stranger. He made friends everywhere that he went. While staying several months with each of his children, he made quick friends with neighbors who would come "looking for Herman" or asking "is Herman home." That's just the person that Pops was. He enjoyed hanging with friends where he got the nickname "Short Jessie" and loved showing his dominos, spades, and bid whiz skills. He made sure to "talk a little noise" at the table also. He understood people, understood life, and never wanted to be a bother to anyone even though his pain.

He was preceded in death by his father, Herman Lee Kilgore; his maternal grandparents, Jake and Pearl Burns; paternal grandparents, Jessie Kilgore and Armintha Taylor.

Herman leaves a legacy that will live on through those that survive him: His devoted wife and partner of 46 years, Cathey Ann Kilgore; sons, Herman Vernell Kilgore, Jr., (Victoria) of Mansfield, TX., Jermaine Kilgore (Ebony) of Hutto, TX.; daughter, Keeana Kilgore of Bedford, TX.; sister, Linda Williams Maurant of Southfield, MI.; brothers, Roderick Kilgore (Agnes) of Ypsilanti, MI., and Reginald Jackson of Conway, AR.; 7 grandchildren, Destiny, Mikea, Joshua, Imani, Tatianna, Armani, and Harrison; 1 great-granddaughter, Aaliyah. He also leaves to cherish his memory special cousins, Larry and Niecey Tate and Bobby McDaniel; special friends, Harvey Love, Tracey Jamerson, brothers and sisters-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends who love him dearly.