James ‘Kimbo’ Kimberley

Suddenly and unexpectedly at his home on 25th July 2024, James aged 25 years of Great Harwood. The much-loved and adored son of Pam and the late Derek, dear step-son of Andrew, loved and loving partner of Mahni, adored and super-proud daddy of Sienna Anne and Taio-Joseph, dear brother of Mark and Luke, step-brother, a much loved grandson, nephew, cousin and loyal friend to many.

A larger than life character, “Kimbo” had a presence that could not be ignored and his energy would fill the room as he entered. He was the life and soul of the party. James had a twinkle in his eye and a cheeky smile that captured the heart of all he had the pleasure of knowing him. He was selfless and always on hand to help anyone in need. He was gifted with the art of being able to turn his hand to any task and, with the gift of the gab, James could talk his way in to any job and he would be a master of the trade before the first day was done. He loved life and music and, like a coiled spring, he had endless energy. James was good-looking and he knew it. He was always at the front of the queue when the camera was out! He was inquisitive and had to know the ‘ins and outs’ of everything. If James couldn’t find the answer he would be straight on to Google to learn all about it. James described himself as a “Cream Egg” – hard on the outside but soft on the inside. Becoming daddy to his much adored children Sienna Anne and Taio-Joseph was the icing on the cake. James was the proudest man on earth.

The loss of James is tragic and the ripples of sadness will be felt far and wide. The earth has lost a legend but the sky had gained the brightest star. May he Rest in Peace.

Traditional funeral attire requested and gentlemen to wear flat caps.

Family flowers only please, donations are being gratefully received in memory of James on behalf of Andy’s Man Club (Suicide prevention in men).
To make a donation please click the ‘Make A Donation’ button at the bottom of this page.

Please feel free to leave a message for James’ online memorial book by completing the form below.

 

Sarah Ainsworth

James was a pleasure to look after in nursery and at school. Rest now xx

 

Nik Tucker

James was a Champ in all the time I coached him inside & outside of the ring!

 

Madison Foley

Never failed to make anyone laugh & rest in peace James, 🤍

 

Ainsley Scott

Kimbo was always a great lad, RIP. thoughts and prayers are with you all.

 

Sharon Turner and Family

Sending Love and thinking of you all ♥️ xx

 

Harty

Good night god bless you sweetheart you will be missed so much…..xxx

 

James Boothman

All thoughts and feelings to the family. Love the Boothman’s

 

Emily Horrocks

Rest easy kimbo, we love you forever ❤️

 

Chynna Green

Rest Easy big lad! Thinking of your family and children xx

 

Lucy Simkin

There will never be another man like Kimbo, rest easy up there 🫶🏻

 

Dec Dodgeon

It is a pleasure to have had James in my life, he is and will always be a legend

 

Scott Warrington

Had some of the craziest story’s will be missed RIP James lad

 

Margaret eatough

Sending love and prayers to Pam and family xx

 

Kaitlyn Mercer

Ready easy Kimbo 😢 sending my love to all the family ❤️

 

Joan Knott

Rest in peace James God bless you and all your family

 

Shaun Dwyer

Kimbo was a Champ in and out of the ring, Condolences to family & friends.

 

Sally Aspinall

Sending lots of love and hugs to you all at this very sad time. X

 

Callum Spink-Baines

Rest easy kimbo mate 💙

 

Tom Haslam

Always knew how to put a smile on my face every time i saw him !

 

Loui Rimmer

RIP Kimbo will miss you mate

 

Dayna Bennett

Some man for one man was kimbo. Rest in peace my mate xx

 

Chloe Slater

An old best friend who I had so many happy memories with, Rest in peace 🫶🏼

 

David Seed

Forever a legend, till we meet again ❤️

 

Bethany Byrom

Rest peacefully James, you’ll never be forgotten ❤️

 

Joan Knott

So sorry Pam for you and all your family god bless thinking of you all.

 

Nick catlow

Rest easy big lad! Love from me & Han.

 

Harris Oakley

Rest easy kimbo mate 🤍

 

Sam baron

RIP KIMBO gone but not forgotten.

 

Dawn pritchard

It was a pleasure to have known you James fly high sweet boy xxx

 

Stuart

I’am sorry for the lost of James.

 

Beth J

So lucky to have had a friend like you Kimbo Fly high brother xx

 

Amelia Dodgeon

The best person to put a smile on anybody’s face . Love you forever kimbo ❤️

 

Craig Dixon

One of a kind, will never be forgotten. RIP Kimbo

 

Jack clayton

One of your own Kimbo gone but never forgotten ❤️

 

Tori Redfearn

Forever smiling and making everybody laugh, rest in paradise x

 

Gribby

You was my best friend, I’m gonna miss you love you my brother ❤️

 

Andre

It was a pleasure meeting you Kimbo. Till we meet again 💙

 

Kiera parkinson

Kimbo it was a pleasure to know you as crazy teenagers, RIP my friend x

 

Taylforth Family

Rest in Peace James. You touched our hearts, forever remembered.

 

Jo Parry

Sorry for your loss. he was one of a kind R.I.P kimbo xx

 

Charlene & Emily Aspinall

Rest in peace James, we only met you a few times but wow, what a lovely guy x

 

Jade Elliott

Miss you so much Jamesy ❤️ love you always, rest easy xxx

 

Colleen Borg

Rest in peace James. Grateful for the memories we shared together x

 

Megan Taylforth

James was a huge part of my childhood life. I will always remember him ❤️

 

Nicola Sheridan

RIP James thoughts and prayers with you all xx

 

Tina Kimberley and Family

A lovable, kind person in every way. Sleep tight, dear cousin.

 

Harry Baxter

Rest in peace pal ❤️

 

Helen Rouse

RIP so sad to hear this news thinking of you and you family x

 

Lewis Rutley

Top guy always lit up any room he was in with his personality, Rest easy bro

 

Amber Meyler

Rest in peace Kimbo, you was and always will be a top guy. Love always x

 

Taylor Rutley

Rest easy Kimbo bro gone to soon was a top guy.

 

Paula Archer

Sending love and thinking of you all x x

 

Katie Warburton

A big smile and a kind heart, thinking of your family at this difficult time.

 

Becky Warrington

The one with the biggest heart. Miss you big lad sweet dreams ❤️

 

Kerry

Sending love and peace to you all at this hard time. x

 

Charlie Woodward

Never failed to make anyone laugh 😊 rip Kimbo ❤️

 

Katie Barnes

Sending you all the strength and love ❤️

 

Kiara Carlin

Taken far too soon. Rest peacefully Kimbo!

 

Marianne James

May you find peace in heaven James. A lovely lad who will be sorely missed..xx

 

The Ingham family Padiham.

You will be missed and always be remembered. Sleep tight Kimbo xxxx

 

Thomas Emmett

One of a kind, will be greatly missed. Thoughts and prayers to loved ones.

 

Mia Bergin

Thanks for all the laughs, sending love to all the family xx

 

Katie Ribbuns

Reast easy kimbo you will be missed by so many ❤️❤️

 

John and Janet Kimberley and family

Sleep tight James , you will be missed so much. RIP KIMBO💔

 

Jaccoa Wall

Thank you for all the laughs over the years, you’ll be missed. RIP James x

 

Alex Ragen

Lovely memories of James from school. Thoughts are with you all ❤️

 

Brad Woodward

Rest easy mate thoughts are with your family ❤️

 

Cheryl Barnes

You will always be my Scooby do loving baby cousin. Fly high James 💙💙

 

Maria Payne

Rest in peace James xx

 

Olly Nicholson

Rest in peace my brother, see you on the other side 💙

 

Rachel Kimberley

So sad, but I know you’ll be with our Dads, comparing muscles! Love you, cous ❤️

 

Joanne Eccles

RIP James, it was a pleasure to have known you. Sending all my love to you all.

 

Shanno

R-I-P Kimbo thinking of all family at this sad time.

 

Andy Rimmer

Always remembered and truly missed ❤️

 

Claudia Whalley

James was a huge part of my childhood life. Im grateful for all the memories.

 

April Townsend

Rest easy James love to your family and children xx

 

Liam Mc

Rest in paradise kimbo. Gone but never forgotten.

 

Mark McDonald-Kennedy

James and I made many unforgettable memories growing up together. Rest in peace.

 

Richard Bradley

James was a wonderful member of my form at St Augustines. Great lad. Rest in peace.

 

Dillon murgatroyd

you was a top lad kimbo always had people laughing  rest easy mate!🩵♥️

 

Vickery Family

Sending love and deepest condolences Pam to you and family and friends xx

 

Lauren Seddon

Such a funny lad, rest in piece. Thoughts go out to your family and friends x

 

Kate OMalley

Rest In Peace James, sending much love to your family and friends 💚🌷💚

 

Kennedy/Crotty family

Lots of lovely memories from when you were younger, rest in peace.

 

Michelle Boothman & family

So sorry to hear the sad loss of James RIP.  Thoughts and prayers with you all.

 

Caprice, Beca & the boys

Rest easy mate, it was an honour to call you my friend/Uncle James ❤️

 

Celine Leatherd

Rest in peace James. Sending love, thought and prayers to you all ❤️

 

Mandy Buchanan

Thinking of all your family at this sad time x

 

Vicki

Rest in peace kimbo !  Dancing with the angels now

 

Immy Hussain

May Allah (God) bless his family at this tough test

 

Harry Lonsdale

Great guy, always loved and a heart of gold. RIP to a fantastic man.

 

Rachael Sutton

Some great early childhood memories with James. Thoughts are with you all xx

 

Felix Odudu

Knew ‘Kimbo’ via my son and just like many others we are so sad about this news.

 

Holly Baron

James was the most loveable and caring person I’ve ever met.

 

Aunty Tricia and Uncle Mark

James, you was one of a kind. Lots of lovely memories with you. Special boy ❤️

 

Grousey and Madge

Larger than life James will be missed by all. RIP Fella.

 

Lesley Fearn

RIP James 🌺…My thoughts and love to you Pam and your family at this sad time xx

 

Adele
James you was such a lovely person with a big heart xx

 

Eileen and Danny

You will always have a place in our hearts, James. Rest in peace.

 

Marie

Such sad news my thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Pam and all the family x

 

Isherwood Family

Sending our deepest condolences & love to Pam & Family. RIP James 💙xxx

 

Charlie Morrison

Im not part of the family but rest easy. at blackburn we are gonna clap at 25 min

 

Lindsey Waddington

Thinking of you all Pam and family on the sad loss of your Beloved James xxxx

 

Debbie Vowles

Deepest condolences. Sending love x

 

Karen Grayston

Thinking of you all at this incredibly sad news. Rest in Peace James xx

 

Lisa Chambers

Nigh night sleep tight james. xx

 

Beth E

Rest in peace Kimbo x