James A. Kimbrough, PhD

James “Jaime” Augustus Kimbrough died on October 25, 2024, in San Diego, CA, at the age of 86. Born in Washington, PA, to Archie Kimbrough and Elsie Chiles Kimbrough, he attended Washington High School. He received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education in 1959 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), his Master of Arts in Special Education from Western Michigan University in 1966, and his Doctor of Philosophy in Education from the University of Pittsburgh in 1980.

A talented basketball player in his youth, Dr. Kimbrough was one of the leading scorers in IUP history and a member of the first basketball team (1957-1958) to win the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) District 18 championship and advance to the NAIA tournament. He was the first music major to concurrently play on the basketball team. As a college senior, he was named to the NAIA All-American second team. While previous IUP players had received Honorable Mention for All-American, Dr. Kimbrough was the first basketball player in IUP history to be named among the top 20 players in the nation. Dr. Kimbrough’s athletic achievements culminated in his inclusion as part of the first group of men and women inducted into the IUP Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.

Dr. Kimbrough enjoyed a fulfilling career dedicated to education and organization development. He was chairman of the Orientation and Mobility Department of The Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind, where he was responsible for internal and community-based mobility instruction and agency-based teacher education. Following his tenure at The Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind, Dr. Kimbrough worked for Allegheny General Hospital in employee and organization development. He served on several boards in the Pittsburgh area and was appointed by Pennsylvania Governor Richard Thornburgh to the IUP Council of Trustees from 1983 to 1987.

After moving to California, Dr. Kimbrough worked for the City of San Diego, where he was responsible for directing the implementation of the City’s Diversity Commitment, which won state and national awards. He retired from the City in 2002. Post-retirement, Dr. Kimbrough served in a consulting capacity to boards, commissions, and community groups to design and implement organizational cultural diversity change efforts. As an adjunct professor, he taught courses to master’s and doctoral degree students on cultural diversity in organizations.

Outside of his athletic and career accomplishments, Dr. Kimbrough took pleasure in various creative interests. Music was his first love, and he never strayed from his music roots. While a student at IUP, he participated in the Men’s Glee Club, university choir, marching band, and jazz band. Following his graduation from IUP, he served as a bandsman in the United States Army. He was involved in the Pittsburgh jazz scene, playing trombone with renowned bandleader Al Dowe, award-winning vocalist Etta Cox, and legendary jazz organist Gene Ludwig. In San Diego, he played regularly at Croce’s Restaurant and Jazz Bar. He was also a prolific photographer, having curated a solo photography exhibit; an avid woodworker, crafting household and furniture pieces; and a garden and travel enthusiast.

He is survived by his daughter, Janet Kimbrough, of Los Angeles, CA; his brother, Roland (Betty), of Williamsburg, VA; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Dorothy Glass, Yvonne Harris, and Marie Kimbrough. To honor Dr. Kimbrough’s wishes, there was no funeral service.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James A. Kimbrough, PhD, please visit our flower store.