Member Spotlight
November/
December 2024

Deanna Dammer Kimbrough

I was born and raised in Minnesota. When both of my sons left home (one joined the Army; the other went off to California to “find himself”) I attended the Brown Institute for Broadcasting. After graduating in 1988, I drove my 1984 Ford Escort down to Brooksville, Florida (without a cellphone). In July I started my talk show radio career at WWJB, which led to an on air volunteer job with Hernando County Government TV.

My plan was to work my way back to Minnesota to work for NPR. Ah, the best laid plans….. In 1994 I went to work for the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office as a Community Relations Coordinator. By 1998, the Sheriff promoted me to Public Relations Officer. In 2003, a co-worker introduced me to Robert Kimbrough. Our first date was 12/23/03; the second one was 12/24/03 and by May 23, 2005 we were married and moved to Heritage Pines. I retired in 2006.

Bob was a college ROTC cadet, a Vietnam War Army artillery Lieutenant, and flew Bird Dogs and helicopters. After 23 years of service he retired and worked several jobs, including his last one in Georgia: A Lieutenant for the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office. After he and his first wife divorced, he moved back to his hometown in Brooksville, Florida. He was the Executive Assistant to then Pasco County Sheriff Bob White until 2007.

One funny story: The radio station that hired me was owned by Hernando Broadcasting. I thought the owner’s name was Hernando! I joked with some gal pals that maybe I could marry the owner. I later learned that one of the “ghost” owners was Jim Kimbrough (Bob’s older brother.)

I joined the Heritage Pines Veterans Club to honor my late husband: Lt. Col. Robert W. Kimbrough (Retired) who passed in 2016. It is a chance to also honor my father and son (both Army), brother (Air Force), and Bob’s son (Army & NASA Astronaut).

I am so grateful for all of the Veterans at Heritage Pines! I always remember we are “The Land of the Free Because of the Brave.” SALUTE!