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onald E. Kilgore III of Albuquerque died at Lovelace Medical Center on July 19, peacefully and among family, but overcome at last by the heart disease he had been battling for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Julie Kilgore; his birth mother, Lillian Kilgore; his brother David Kilgore; spouse Anne Tackett; spouse Carole Marrero; and his son Christopher. He is survived by his son, Donald Kilgore IV, of Brooklyn, NY; his stepchildren Kyle and Yvonne Marrero; his loving companion of the last years, Diane Butler of Albuquerque; siblings Susan, John, and Julie Kilgore; his grandchildren Andrew, Jacob, Caitlin, and Dylan; and a lawless horde of nieces, nephews, in-laws, and good friends.
In a long and colorful life, “Deke” Kilgore started several businesses, traveled the world, sold advertising and industrial chemicals, owned and piloted his own airplane, raised two families, and worked as a paperboy, tricycle ice cream peddler, DJ, TV reporter, sales manager, and CEO of a small company. Family was at the center of his life and religion played a strong part, though sometimes in competition with his love of a good time. When an automobile accident left his wife Carole paralyzed and near death, he was her devoted and zealous nurse for a dozen years, turning their living room into a "home ICU,” caring for her around the clock. He also gave generously of himself during the long final illnesses of Don and Julie. After Carole’s passing he found enormous late-life happiness with Diane. Passionate, loving, adventurous, and argumentative, he was emphatic in his political opinions and the first to admit he could sometimes be a weird duck. He will be remembered and missed for his irrepressible offbeat sense of humor, his great decency, and his deep love for people close to him.
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