Christopher Rimes (February 14, 1973 - May 03, 2023)

In loving memory of
Christopher Rimes
  • February 14, 1973
  • -
  • May 03, 2023

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Obituary

It is no surprise that the man with the biggest heart, Christopher David Rimes I, was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1973 in Dallas, TX. But then, the best things come from Texas, don’t they?

The favorite child (read “only”) of his parents, Ken & Deanne Rimes of Savannah, GA, Chris grew up in Houston, TX where he attended Richey St. Baptist Church and Sam Rayburn HS. Even though he graduated from Windsor Forest HS in Savannah GA in 1991, he always held Sam Rayburn in his incredible heart. Despite the challenges and heartbreak he learned when he was moved away from Texas, he made new friends and never met a stranger he wouldn’t help, give his shirt to—or his car, for that matter—and never asked for anything in return.

Chris was a master at making the wrong choices the first time around. From trusting those who were supposed to love him to marrying the wrong “Jenny.” But he also had a huge capacity for learning from those mistakes. He learned that his friends—T.J. Berard, Justin Callaway, and others—were his true family. He finally found the right Jennie—it helped that she spells her name correctly. “I got the name right the first time; I got the woman right the second,” he is famous for telling anyone who would listen.

Chris loved 5 of his *ooopsies* more than any other: his Pun’kin, Elizabeth (26, Minneapolis, MN); his number 2, his Wingman, Christopher David II (19); his mini-me, Caleb (16); the apple of his eye, John (age 10), and his Monkey Princess, Margaret June (age 8). Of all his accomplishments, he loved these the most. They always made him proud.

Chris was passionate about 3 things: Texas A&M or the Dallas Cowboys football, Texas and his wife, Jennie Leigh Albritton Rimes. We’re still not sure which one ranked first—it varied from day to day.

He was adopted by the Albritton’s when he married the right Jennie on July 20, 2002 in Pigeon Forge, TN. They accepted him without reservation and their acceptance filled in the missing parts of his heart, so we would be amiss if we didn’t mention these family members who stood by him, loved him and treated him as one of their own: Leah & Bernard Dumortier of Michigan City, TN and their children, Tyner, Rebeccah, & Savion Dumortier; Chris & Desiree Albritton of Paducah, KY, and Marthalynn Manterfield and her children, Annah, Britton, Ruby, & Maerick Manterfield of Savannah, GA. But most of all, he respected and loved his father-in-law, Larry Albritton for being the father figure he needed and Larry’s wife, Betty for her unconditional love of him.

But, as with all great heroes, one cannot give that much of his own heart without suffering the consequences. And so, on the night of May 3, 2023, his beautiful heart finally gave out. The week before he died, he told his wife, “If the last words I say aren’t, ‘I love you,’ it’s because there wasn’t time.” She accused him of stealing the line from their favorite novel and he replied, “Doesn’t mean it’s not true.” And then asked that his ashes be scattered in his home state of Texas. Jennie held him and let him go, hearing his whispered “I love you” as he finally was released from this world.

For those who want to raise one final bourbon and celebrate his life, a memorial to share funny stories, memories, gifs, inappropriate dad jokes, and memes, all are invited to a memorial at Lakes Park, Pavilion A-1, at 7330 Gladiolus Dr., Ft. Myers, FL 33908 on June 14, 2023 from 2-5 p.m.

A private viewing will be held on Wednesday, May 10th at 1:00 p.m.


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  1. Kevin T Jump says:
    12 May 2023
    The best person I’ve ever known. The biggest heart. I love you, Chris.

  2. Mona Galloway lit a candle:
    10 May 2023
    Lit since May 10, 2023 at 5:20:47 AM

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