John Duane Zimmerman

JOHN DUANE ZIMMERMAN

San Antonio, Texas

John Duane Zimmerman, 94, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, from a brief bout with esophageal cancer.

John was born Aug. 3, 1927, in Britt County, Iowa. A memorial service will be held at Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in San Antonio on Jan. 29 at 11 a.m., but his burial service, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will be held later. His obituary is also available online at the Neptune Society San Antonio Obituaries, obituaries.neptunesociety.com/obituaries/san-antonio-tx, where you can share a memory and confirm dates and times of John's services. In lieu of flowers, any donations desired can be mailed to their above-mentioned church,www.graceopc.net.

Survivors include John's wife of 71 years' marriage, Maxine Farley Zimmerman of San Antonio; son, Donald L. Zimmerman (wife Susan) of San Antonio; son, David J. Zimmerman (wife Denna) of Clifton, Va.; son, Douglas F. Zimmerman of San Antonio; and six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Duane Zimmerman and Helen Hesse Zimmerman (Iowa); and sister, JoAnn Fairley Ketcham (Iowa).

John grew up and graduated high school in Central City, Iowa, excelling in basketball and baseball. He then joined the Navy during World War II in 1945. After his service, he moved back to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, obtained higher education on the G.I. bill and began his 44-year executive career with Collins Radio Co. (Rockwell International), having key roles in the Apollo Space program. He married Maxine on July 30, 1950, in Cedar Rapids, where they raised their three sons. After retiring, he and Maxine moved to San Antonio, where two sons lived, and they were active in church, dancing, card club and world travel.

John was a devoted family man and ever-present supporter of his wife's homemaker and business ventures and his son's school, scouting and athletic ventures. John also liked to fish, play league softball, do projects in his garage, work on his friend's farm and travel with his family in their camper. John was an organizer and mentor to many. He had a dry sense of humor and his witty jokes lasted through his final days in bad health.

John is now with his Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, where he wanted to be right after learning of his cancer. He will be greatly missed.