Ted Zimmerman

Ted Zimmerman was a straightforward kind of man who never hesitated to let you know what was on his mind. He found a way to balance the many aspects of his life that made up the man he was as a dedicated provider, loving family man, and great friend. He stood by the things he believed in, but always valued what others had to say. He will be fondly remembered by those whose lives he touched.

In the midst of the Great Depression, 1931 was a time of great difficulty as the jobless rate reached almost four million. Even through these trying times, many American’s continued to hope as the Empire State Building opened and the nation celebrated the Star-Spangled banner as it became the U.S. national anthem. In the town of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Theodore Sr. and Iva (Welch) Zimmerman found reason to celebrate on September 21, 1931 as they welcomed the birth of their firstborn, a son whom they named Theodore E. Zimmerman, Jr.

The oldest child in a bustling household that would eventually include 11 children, Ted grew up in the Oakwood neighborhood of Kalamazoo along with his siblings and neighborhood friends. A typical young boy, Ted found his fair share of mischief. He took enjoyment in all kinds of sports, especially baseball, football and basketball. With such a large family, each of the children pitched in to do their part, but with Ted being the eldest, he helped out as much as he could. When he was 16, the family moved to a farm in Vicksburg. It was here that Ted’s strong work ethic became equally apparent, and he carried this penchant for hard work throughout his life. Ted continued to enjoy sports well past his high school years where he played on the school teams until his graduation from Vicksburg High School.

As circumstances would have it, across the street from the new family home in Vicksburg lived a young girl by the name of Mary Haynes. Ted and Mary were quite taken with one another, and began dating. Following school, Ted entered the U.S. Army, serving as a tank commander during the Korean War. The separation proved to be a difficult time for the young couple. When Ted returned home from the service, he and Mary were united in marriage as husband and wife on September 5, 1953. It was not long before they began a family, and over time, were blessed with five wonderful children Ken, Kerry (who died shortly after birth), Sue, Mike and Steve.

Having been the oldest in a large household, and striving hard for the things earned in life, Ted acquired a sure opinion. He was a straight shooter, and quite definite about his stand on many topics. This fact served him well in many aspects of his life. Ted supported his family while working as a foreman at Allied Paper Company, eventually taking an early retirement at the age of 59. Always a hard and dedicated worker, Ted then began working occasionally with his friends Rene, Tom and Tommy Cousins.

About the time Steve came along, Ted made it a point to become more involved in the lives of his children. He began to coach on little league teams, as well as Rocket football for his two youngest sons. Along with his work schedule, Ted kept quite busy, but it afforded him valuable and memorable times spent with his children. He pitched fast-pitch softball with the Vicksburg Merchant's for many years, in addition to several other teams. He was also an avid outdoorsman who liked to hunt, fish and camp. The family made fond memories throughout the years up north where Ted and his buddies would take their families. The men would spend time fishing, while the women kept camp and the children forged lasting friendships. Ted also went on many fishing and golfing trips with his friends.

Ted was a fair man whose value of hard work was second to none. He and Mary provided a loving and secure home for their family and as the years went by, he became more easy going, taking time to enjoy the many pleasures life had to offer and talking more than ever before in his life. Ted continued to be a pretty straightforward kind of man who never hesitated to let you know what was on his mind. He loved a good debate on any subject, and even though he had his own opinion, he was curious about other’s thoughts and opinions, always giving the opposing view a fair shake. He valued other perspectives, but believed that those opinions needed sound back up, and that every individual needed to stand by what they believed in. Ted never changed his mind on matters, but the other side of the story was respected by him.

One of the many things Ted was noted for was the huge pole barn on his property. Ted and his friends and brothers spent much time in the “man cave”, or Bore’s Den as it was affectionately known. The portion of the pole barn that was The Bore’s Den was heated, and even had a kitchenette. Every Friday was an extravagant lunch and card day, when all the guys got together, laughed, told stories and played pitch. Some of the proceeds went to “Maxwell”, a Maxwell House coffee can that held the fun money to buy the beer, paper plates and the food for the Bore's Den. Most of the time women were not welcome there but, once a year, the ladies were graced admittance into the Den as Ted and the guys would dress the place up, and treat their wives to a fancy steak dinner on a night they called “Sow’s Night!” There were many great times spent in the Bore's Den.

Retirement also enabled Ted to get more involved in his love for sports. Ted and Mary together loved to bowl and play golf, and were always on a couple’s league, as well as several leagues of their own. They were known like family at State's Golf Course where they were members. Ted was also a member of the VFW Portage Post 5855 and the Moose Lodge. In later years he and Mary enjoyed fishing and golfing in the warmer climate of Florida where they wintered for many years with their friends, Betty & Joe Price, his brothers and sisters and the many new friends they made at the trailer park in Winter Haven.

Sadly, on May 10, 2008, Ted’s beloved wife Mary died, and Ted was never quite the same. At the age of 77, as his health was slowly declining, Ted died at his home on Saturday, March 28, 2009. Ted was preceded in death by his wife Mary in May of 2008, a son Kerry, a sister Elaine Poth, a brother LaVern Zimmerman and a brother-in-law Ken Pecot. Members of Ted’s family include his children and their spouses Kenneth & Melody Zimmerman, Susan Craft, Michael & Wendy Zimmerman, Steven & Lisa Zimmerman, 10 grandchildren David, Kevin, Joe, Brooke, Mindy, Brock, Baileigh, Alysia, Jason and Jessica, 3 great-grandchildren Amber, Alena and Abbey, his siblings and their spouses Janet & Vernon Noel, Merle & Julietta Zimmerman, Melvin & Marian Zimmerman, Delores & Paul Dodge, Sharon & Mike Drake, Judith Pecot, Larry & Susan Zimmerman, James & Vicky Zimmerman, his brother & sister-in-laws Shirley & Bill Valencourt, Elaine Barringer, Bill & Diane Haynes, Donna & Ken Ream, Ruth & Russ Bartholomew and many special nieces & nephews.

Visit with his family and friends, view his life story film and share light refreshments on Friday, April 3 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Life Story Funeral Home, Vicksburg, 409 S. Main St. (649-1697). The funeral to celebrate Ted’s life will be held on Saturday, April 4, 11:00 AM at the Vicksburg United Methodist Church, 217 S. Main St., Vicksburg. Please visit Ted’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his life story, archive a memory or photo, sign his memory book online before coming to the funeral home or make a memorial donation to Vicksburg Community Education.