Debbie McKimmons, 54 of Van Buren passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2015 in her home. Debbie’s journey to Bob’s life began in May of 1977 one month after her 16th birthday. She as a young school girl, going back and forth to school, passing the local gas mart and memorizing what would soon be her husband’s muscle car. She did not go unnoticed by Bob, and soon they were hobnobbing and socializing. The following year the couple married with parental consent. A daughter was born followed by another daughter in 1980. Seeing a dim future, she accompanied her husband to Colorado, where he served as an infantry soldier. She was an original army wife. Then in December 1981she saw the birth of her son. She always weathered the storm when Bob deployed unaccompanied. Even though she had not been dealt a fair hand at birth, Debbie’s spirit rose above her “Preemie” status. She learned to drive a car, raise three children sometimes single-handedly while maintaining their newly purchased home and supporting her deployed infantry soldier. In 1995 Debbie and family deployed to Fort Chaffee. As time went on, both daughters graduated from Van Buren High School. The family also survived the tornado of 1996; soon after the tornado they relocated to Colorado on their last military assignment. In 2000 Bob & Debbie retired, said their farewells, and sold their house in 2006. Upon returning to the River Valley and to old friends they made new friends; bought a house and left a loving, laughing spirit in many people.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 AM Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at Ocker Memorial Chapel with burial at U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren.

Pallbearers will be Jose Flores, Mike McKimmons, Pete Laab, Daniel McKimmons, Saul Orellana and Billy Archer.

Family will visit with relatives and friends Sunday, May 24, 2015 from 2-4 P.M. at Ocker Funeral Home 700 Jefferson Street, Van Buren.

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