James R. Zimmerman was summoned to his Heavenly Home on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, after losing his lengthy battle with Myelofibrosis, a rare type of Blood and Bone Marrow Cancer.  James was born on June 27, 1960, in Muncie Indiana to William Stewart Zimmerman and Phyllis June (Barefoot) Zimmerman.  On September 4, 1982, he married Lisa VandeZande at the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in South Bend.  Jim was a 1978 graduate of James Whitcomb Riley High School in South Bend and graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology.  Jim retired as an engineer from the Amy Instrumentation Facility in the Purdue University Chemistry Department where he had designed numerous scientific instruments, mostly devoted to environmental research.  Previously he had served as a Manufacturing Engineer at Landis and Gyr in Lafayette, and as a technician at Ash Medical Systems, and at CTS Microelectronics, both in West Lafayette.

Jim loved all kinds of music from The Beatles to Buxtehude.  He was especially passionate about traditional hymns and sacred organ and choral music in liturgical worship.  Jim also had an undying love of pipe organs, having attended countless organ recitals and concerts throughout his life.  Jim’s love for the organ and encouragement and arm twisting from his mother and other organist mentors eventually inspired him to revive and hone his childhood piano skills to become an organist during his thirties.  Some of Jim’s finest moments were playing the largest pipe organ on Maui at the Makawao Union Church and playing for First Christian’s youth group at National City Christian Church in Washington DC.  Jim was also quite a “car guy” loving classic cars and roadsters.  He and Lisa immensely enjoyed driving their Miata on “top down days” and enjoying their vintage Cadillac at any other time.   Jim was also quite the nature photographer and loved travelling with Lisa, having been to 49 states while visiting our State and National Parks and seeking out beautiful off-the-beaten-path places.

Jim was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette.  Jim grew up in Disciples of Christ churches and had previously been a member of First Christian Church in South Bend, and at First Christian Church in Lafayette where he had served as the substitute organist and had been a deacon and Stephen Minister.  Jim was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents and numerous aunts and uncles.  Jim is survived by his wife Lisa, whom he adored and cherished more than life itself.  Also surviving is his son James Jr. (companion, Stephanie) of Delphi, a sister, Carol Zimmerman of Kansas City, and his beloved little fur-buddy, Felix the cat.  Jim is also survived by several cousins and his Aunt Jane Eastman of Muncie.

Visitation will be from 2:00 pm until the time of the service at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette, with the Reverend Dr. Bradley Pace officiating.  Graveside services will be held at Highland Cemetery in South Bend on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at 1:00 pm.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church Lafayette with attention to organ maintenance and music funds.