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