Industry Auctioneer, Kimbel Passes Away
Known to many who have bought and sold equipment in the forest products industry, John Chandler Kimbel Jr., 63, of Kingston, Tennessee passed away Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, at Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville.
Kimbel and his family owned and operated Tri-State Auction & Realty Company where he worked as senior auctioneer and appraiser with over 30 years of experience. Tri-State is licensed and bonded in 17 states. Kimbel received CAGA designation from Certified Appraisers Guild of America and also studied Industrial Machinery Appraising under Dr. Terry Evans in Nashville.
Kimbel was a life member of several Auctioneer Associations and was awarded CAI from Certified Auctioneers Institute and Certified Appraisers Guild of America.
According to a local news report, Johnny enjoyed his work but loved spending time with his grandchildren and family. He was preceded in death by his father, John Chandler Kimbel; brother, Wayne Kimbel; and sister, Regina Kimbel. Survivors include loving wife, Carolyn Harvey Kimbel of Kingston; mother, Mary Johnson Kimbel of Ten Mile; children, James Savage and wife Melissa of Jacksboro, Kristie Scarbrough and husband Chris of Kingston, Michelle Thompson of Knoxville, and Dustin Kimbel of Harriman; grandchildren, Tanner Seymour, Mikella Seymour, Carlie Savage and Matthew Weaver; sister, Sandra White of Ten Mile; and a host of extended family and special friends.
Funeral services were held on February 11th. An online register is available at www.FrakerFuneralHome.net for those who want to share their thoughts with the Kimbel family.
Industry Loses a Respected Figure in Tom Worthey
Tom Worthey, owner of Wooden Pallets LTD in Silsbee, Texas since 1983, was a well-known and highly respected pallet manufacturer. Unfortunately Worthey passed away at 84 years of age on February 6, 2017 at the Silsbee Convalescent Center where he was receiving rehab after falling and breaking his hip almost a year ago. Funeral services were held on Thursday, February 9th. Wooden Pallets LTD is one of the largest pallet manufacturers in Texas.
Worthey was born in Jasper on August 5, 1932. He and his family are longtime residents of Silsbee. Tom enjoyed spending time on his ranches in Duvall County and Webb County. Mr. Worthey is preceded in death by his parents, Patsy Ruth Worthey, his wife of 63 years, his brother Sherman and sisters Robbie Jones and Dorothy Huff.
Worthey’s survivors include his son Robert and his wife Eva Marie, daughters Teressa Kountz and her husband Jeff, Tonya Hedleston and her husband Larry, and his sister Jean Bass. Tom had three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
It is always sad when our industry loses a leader, particularly a man who is respected for his industry leadership. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be sent in Mr. Worthey’s memory to the First Baptist Church of Silsbee, 350 Hwy. 96, Silsbee, Texas 77656.
Machinery Group Adds Industry Sales Veterans
Continuing its strong sales force serving the pallet sector, Greg Wine and his company, Pallet Machinery Group (PMG), have added two sales people with over 48 years of combined industry experience. PMG has hired Rick Autey, who formerly worked as a key leader in sales for Viking Engineering, and Cody Evans, who formerly worked with both Stanley-Bostitch and Viking Engineering.
Greg Wine, the owner of PMG, commented, “Our team is elated to add two people who are well known to the industry and have significant background with pallet nailing. This move shows our continued focus on assembling a top-notch sales and support team.”
Rick Autey explained, “After 30 years working in the pallet equipment industry, I have decided to change gears. This decision gives me an opportunity not only to work with a great company but to continue serving the pallet industry.”
Autey added, “PMG offers value-added solutions for a wide variety of nailing, wood preparation and material handling applications. I am particularly excited to help former customers find solutions that save labor and improve efficiency in areas outside of just pallet nailing.”
From lumber processing and sawing to material handling and stacking as well as nailing function, PMG offers a broad catalog of unique products that help customers improve efficiency, streamline processes and save money.
Cody Evans said, “With over 18 years in the pallet industry, ten years working at Stanley-Bostitch and eight years with Viking Engineering it has given me a huge opportunity to build long lasting relationships in the pallet business. I have a great opportunity to shift gears and work with one of the most knowledgeable companies in the market, PMG.”
Both Autey and Evans started with PMG last summer
Given the labor crunch in the industry, automation is one of the key ways that companies can respond. PMG has developed a number of unique solutions to problems from stacking to retrofitting older machines to procuring the right used machine to the latest in high-tech solutions from Storti. Congratulate Autey and Evans in their new positions and find out how they can help you solve your efficiency problems. Call Rick Autey at 651-257-1237 or Cody Evans at 737-346-7948 or visit the PMG website at www.palletmachinery.com.
