Gary D. Zimmerman

Gary D. Zimmerman, age 75, passed away on Monday, October 24, 2022 at Angels Grace Hospice. He was born on February 20, 1947 to Edward and Ivadell (McDougall) Zimmerman in Rock Island, Illinois.

Gary is survived by his children, Zach (Ashton) Zimmerman and Kelli (Chris) Rubenzer; grandchildren, Landon and Sutton Zimmerman; his niece, Sherree (Steve) Kiefer; his nephew, Jay (Dena) Zimmerman; and many other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jerry (Virginia) Zimmerman.

Gary was a graduate from Memphis State and dedicated his career to coaching and education. His coaching career included high school men’s basketball, the Brownsville Road Broncos in Shelby Youth Sports football, and the Memphis Travelers baseball team. He coached the Westside High School boys basketball team to the State Championship in 1986 and was named the Best of the Preps Class A Coach of the Year that same year by the Commercial Appeal. As an educator, he served the Shelby County School system for over fifty years as a teacher and principal, touching countless lives. Gary was also a proud graduate of the FBI Citizen Academy program.

Small in stature but big in heart, Gary loved making a difference in children’s lives through both school and sports. He knew how to encourage a child to start “acting right” with only a look. After over fifty years of dedication, we are glad he can finally sit still and relax in peace. “Class dismissed, Dad”

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Gary’s name to, Memphis Athletic Ministries, www.mamsports.org; or the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.