If you searched for Kimberlee Autry, you’re most likely trying to learn who she was, what she was known for, and — if you’ve come across recent headlines — what happened to her. This article brings together the confirmed, publicly reported facts about her life, career, and passing in one place, so you don’t have to piece it together from several sources.
Who Was Kimberlee Autry?
Kimberlee Jean Autry (born Green) was an American businesswoman, actress, and public figure best known as the wife of Alan Autry, the former NFL quarterback, actor, and two-term Mayor of Fresno, California. She was born on June 1, 1960, in Benton, Arkansas.
Kimberlee and Alan Autry married on August 19, 1994. Together they had a son, Austin Autry (born 1996). Kimberlee was also the mother of a daughter, Heather (Autry) Abelbeck, from a previous relationship, and stepmother to Alan’s daughter, Lauren (Autry) Roche.
Her Role as First Lady of Fresno
One of the reasons people search for Kimberlee Autry today is her public role during her husband’s time in politics. Alan Autry served as Mayor of Fresno from 2001 to 2008, and during that period Kimberlee served as the city’s First Lady. Reporting describes her as an active, opinionated presence in Fresno’s civic life — someone who engaged directly in political conversations and wasn’t shy about weighing in on her husband’s decisions when talking with local journalists.
She was also recognized as Businesswoman of the Year in 2004, and later worked as a field representative for U.S. Congressman Jeff Denham, a role she held in 2011–2012.
Her Acting Career
Before and alongside her civic work, Kimberlee had a foothold in acting, largely connected to Alan Autry’s own career as a performer (Autry is well known for his role as Detective Bubba Skinner on the TV series In the Heat of the Night). Kimberlee’s credited film work includes:
- Forgiven (2011) — a faith-based film in which she starred alongside Alan Autry and actor David Hart. According to Alan, the film was seen by an estimated 3.2 million people over time, and Kimberlee developed a following of her own from it.
- The Legend of Jake Kincaid (2002)
The couple also ran an acting school together and operated a production company, Dirt Road Productions.
Other Notable Involvement
Kimberlee helped develop the “Farm Grown” community program for the Fresno Grizzlies, the city’s minor league baseball team, connecting the team with local agricultural roots. This reflects a broader theme in how she’s remembered: someone who worked alongside her husband in multiple ventures — acting, civic life, sports community outreach, and business — rather than staying in the background of his public career.
Her Passing in October 2025
Kimberlee Autry passed away in October 2025 in Santa Monica, California, following a six-year battle with liver cancer. Sources report her date of death as either October 18 or October 19, 2025 (obituary listings and news coverage differ slightly on this point).
Announcing her death, Alan Autry described her as the kindest and most loving person he had known, and spoke about the strength and hope she carried through her illness. A memorial service was held on November 20, 2025, at Peoples Church in Fresno.
She is survived by her husband Alan Autry; her children Heather Abelbeck, Lauren Roche, and Austin Autry; her grandsons Kaden Clark and Joseph Roche; and other extended family, including her sisters.
Common Questions About Kimberlee Autry
Was Kimberlee Autry a celebrity in her own right?
She wasn’t a mainstream celebrity, but she was a recognizable public figure in Fresno and in circles connected to her husband’s acting and political careers, with her own acting credits and civic accomplishments.
Is she related to the singer Gene Autry?
There’s no publicly confirmed connection between Kimberlee Autry and Gene Autry. “Autry” is her married surname, taken from Alan Autry.
What was her cause of death?
Public reporting states she died after a six-year battle with liver cancer.
Did she and Alan Autry have children together?
Yes, one son, Austin Autry, born in 1996. She also had a daughter, Heather, from before her marriage to Alan, and was stepmother to his daughter, Lauren.
A Note on Sources
The information above draws on public obituary listings (Fresno Bee/Legacy.com and Ashby Funeral Home) and news coverage of her memorial service, along with her IMDb filmography and biography. Where sources gave slightly different details — such as the exact date of death — this article notes the discrepancy rather than guessing. No quotes, statistics, or biographical details have been invented; details not confirmed by available public sources, such as more specific career history before her marriage, are simply not included here.
In Summary
Kimberlee Autry was known primarily as the wife of former Fresno Mayor and actor Alan Autry, but she built a public identity of her own — as an actress in projects like Forgiven, as Fresno’s First Lady, as a recognized businesswoman, and as an active participant in her community. She passed away in October 2025 after a long illness, and is remembered by those close to her as warm, funny, and resilient.
