Ron was a man of many interests. As a teen in his native town of Big Stone Gap, Virginia, he excelled at varsity football, basketball, and baseball, attending the University of Tennessee on a football scholarship. After serving in the Army, Ron completed his education at East Tennessee State University where he met his wife of 59 years, Anne Bowles Kilbourne. Together, they began careers as school guidance counselors. As a Master’s graduate of the College of William and Mary, he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He was a founding member and steering committee president of the Fairfax County Guidance Association. Ron cherished his vocation for the opportunity it gave him to help so many young people set a course for successful lives.
Ron had a lifelong interest in jazz music (including a stint in broadcasting), stock market speculation, and politics. He enjoyed reading books on a wide range of topics and encouraged others to educate themselves through reading. In his thirties, Ron was taking his family on a Sunday afternoon drive when, on impulse, he stopped to talk to a man he saw training thoroughbred horses in a pasture. That day began a second career in breeding and racing horses which lasted for the rest of his life. As owner and operator of KilBurn Stud, he bred and raced horses for over forty years, bringing scores of winners to the track in West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. He was a board member of the West Virginia Horseman’s Benevolent Protective Association and was a founder and President of the Virginia Horseman’s Association. Ron had a meticulous interest in the science and craft of horse-breeding and treasured the many meaningful friendships it brought into his life.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Teddy Elisha and Pauline Rebecca Kilbourne and his brothers, Martin Van Buren and Gary Lee Kilbourne. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 59 years, Anne Bowles Kilbourne, his only child, Michele Kilbourne Chambers and her husband Marc, his grandsons Ian Kilbourne Chambers and Seth Oman Chambers, his sister Teddy Lou Kilbourne Blann and her husband Larry, his sister-in-law Yvonne Swaim Kilbourne, and his nephew, Todd Lee Kilbourne.
A Celebration of Life will take place at Dumfries United Methodist Church at a future date. A graveside inurnment service will be conducted at the family cemetery in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, also at a date to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to Dumfries United Methodist Church, 3890 Cameron Street Dumfries, Virginia 22026 or to VITAS Community Connection at www.vitascommunityconnection.org.
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Since August 2024, Potomac Local News has seen significant growth in our email newsletter readership, with our audience expanding from 14,747 subscribers in August to 18,252 subscribers in February 2025.
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Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
