Celebrating the life of
Lawrence E. Zimmerman
December 27, 1928 - April 16, 2010
Col. Lawrence E. Zimmerman, USA, Ret.
SAVANNAH – Lawrence E. "Larry" Zimmerman went home to be with our Lord early Friday morning, April 16, 2010, surrounded by his family, after a long battle with cancer.
He is survived by the love of his life and high school sweetheart, his loving and devoted wife of fifty-eight years, Jane Berlin Zimmerman; his children, Greg Zimmerman and his wife Roxann, Laura McWherter and her husband, Lt. Col. Leonard McWherter, USA, Ret., and Gina Neilsen and her husband, Richard; eight grandchildren, Jason and Joshua Zimmerman, Alyson, Sara, Melissa, and Molly McWherter, and Emily and Jacob Neilsen; his sister, Mary Jane Campbell, his brother, Willard Zimmerman; and his two devoted Jack Russell terriers, Annie and Buddy. His passions included his wife, his family, his country, and his antique cars.
Larry was born in Canfield, OH on December 27, 1928. He and Jane were baptized at Churchill Methodist Church. After graduating from Liberty High School in Churchill, OH, he was drafted by the United States Army in 1950 and served his country for thirty-two years before retiring as a full Colonel. He received a master's degree from the Naval War College in Newport, RI.
Col. Zimmerman served one combat tour in Korea and two combat tours in Vietnam. He also served on the Southeast Asia Briefing Team at The Pentagon for three years. He made twenty-nine moves with his family during his thirty-two years of service.
During his career he received the Parachute Badge, Ranger Tab, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Overseas Service Bars 4, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, National Defense Service Medal, Air Medal 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Sapphire, Meritorious Service Medal 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 2, Army Service Ribbon, Revolutionary Development Medal Vietnam, Army General Staff ID Badge, and Legion of Merit 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm on Sunday, April 18, 2010, at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, April 19, 2010, at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel. Interment will follow, with full military honors, at 1:30 pm, in Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, SC.
Remembrances may be made to the American Lung Association, 6555 Abercorn St., Suite 108G, Savannah, GA 31405 or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 15515, Savannah, GA 31416.
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com
I was honored to know Colonel Zimmerman and always enjoyed talking and hearing him talk about his long and honorable career in the Army. He had to be one of the nicest people I have met in my 54 years of life on this earth. He had a great strong handshake and he would always look you in the eye when he was talking to you. That just let you know he was a straight shooter. He loved his family and loved his country and I will miss him. Godspeed Colonel until we will meet again.
- Peter Knepton, Savannah, GA
I was honored to meet the Colonel several times. He was an interesting person with many good stories and experiences he had while serving our country. May God bless him and welcome him into heaven.
- Joe Coffey, Garden City, GA
I was hor nored to have met and knew such a honorable man that gave so much to his country and fellow man. My prayers are with you and your family. John Sykes
- john w. sykes sr., savannah, GA
Dear Janie and Family, Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Larry will always be remembered for his smile, caring ways and being a wonderful man. You are loved, not only by family but many friends as well. Please know that we are here for you when needed. We Salute the Colonel! Sincerely and God Bless, Jerry and Diana Gayre
- Jerry L. Gayre, Pooler, GA
I was honored to know Colonel Zimmerman and always enjoyed talking and hearing him talk about his long and honorable career in the Army. He had to be one of the nicest people I have met in my 54 years of life on this earth. He had a great strong handshake and he would always look you in the eye when he was talking to you. That just let you know he was a straight shooter. He loved his family and loved his country and I will miss him. Godspeed Colonel until we will meet again.
- Peter Knepton, Savannah, GA
I was honored to meet the Colonel several times. He was an interesting person with many good stories and experiences he had while serving our country. May God bless him and welcome him into heaven.
- Joe Coffey, Garden City, GA
I was hor nored to have met and knew such a honorable man that gave so much to his country and fellow man. My prayers are with you and your family. John Sykes
- john w. sykes sr., savannah, GA
Dear Janie and Family, Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Larry will always be remembered for his smile, caring ways and being a wonderful man. You are loved, not only by family but many friends as well. Please know that we are here for you when needed. We Salute the Colonel! Sincerely and God Bless, Jerry and Diana Gayre
- Jerry L. Gayre, Pooler, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
