MOULTRIE — Colquitt County Deputy Coroner Kevin Wimberly took the oath as interim county coroner Monday.

Probate Judge Wes Lewis said Wimberly will fulfill the unexpired term of former coroner Daniel Warburg, who resigned effective May 1. The term expires on Dec. 31, after which a newly elected coroner will take over. Wimberly did not seek to run for the position permanently, saying the time was not right for him to serve in the position beyond this year.

“Since Warburg’s resignation became effective during the qualifying period for the elected position of coroner,” Lewis said, “I felt the only fair thing to do was to appoint someone on an interim basis who was not running for the position. I am confident that Wimberly has the experience and qualifications to serve the citizens of Colquitt County as interim coroner.”

Wimberly said he has been a deputy coroner for the past eight years and has been in funeral services, still holding his funeral director’s license, for about 12 years. He graduated from Valdosta State University with a degree in business management and finance. He is currently a math teacher at Willie J. Williams Middle School and the chief at the Westside Volunteer Fire Department.

The staff at the coroner’s office will remain the same with the current two deputy coroners, Wimberly said. He hopes to have a smooth transition from Warburg’s time and will continue to serve Colquitt County and its citizens.

“We plan to continue to offer dignified services to the people of Colquitt County,” Wimberly said.

Following the expiration of his interim term, Wimberly said he hopes to remain on the staff as a deputy coroner. He felt now was not the time to become the coroner full-time because of his two small children, but he did not rule out a run for the office sometime.

“In the future,” Wimberly said, “my name will appear on a ballot somewhere.”