Timothy Wayne Timm

Timothy Wayne Timm (“Tim”), beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on August 27, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 71. Born on April 25, 1954, in Dennison, Iowa, Tim grew up in Westchester, California, where his love for adventure, music, and sports first took root.

Gifted both athletically and artistically, Tim earned a baseball scholarship to Cal State Northridge as a pitcher. Off the field, he found joy in music as a singer, guitarist, and songwriter, sharing his talent as a member of the band ETC. Music remained a constant companion throughout his life, a source of creativity, connection, and joy.

Tim answered a higher calling in service to his country as a U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot from 1978 to 1987. He served as a flight instructor in Kingsville, Texas before receiving orders to become one of the first pilots to transition to the new F/A 18 with the storied Grey Ghosts (VMFA-531) in El Toro, California. Tim was an excellent fighter pilot, attending such schools as Marine Air Warfare Tactics School and Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). He had over 2000 hours of military flight time and was one of the first to accumulate over 1000 hours accident free in the F/A 18. His courage, discipline, and commitment to excellence in the cockpit were matched only by his humility and humor on the ground. Following his distinguished military service, he continued his passion for flying as a pilot with Delta Air Lines, where he built a long and respected career before retiring as a Captain in 2019.

Above all, it was never his accomplishments that mattered the most to him. What Tim was truly proud of was his family. He helped raise his three children in Southlake, Texas before later making his home in Sharpsburg, Georgia. Tim is survived by his wife, Bernadette Minetti; his oldest daughter, Nicole Robert and her husband, Sam, and their daughter, Kaylyn Ruth; his middle son, Brian Wayne Timm and his son, Otis Martin; his youngest daughter, Michelle Timm and her husband, Michael Kurita; the mother of his children, Patricia Kiddoo Bullock; his sister, Darleen Taylor; and his beloved dogs, Kirby and Rolo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne Carroll Timm and Irene Evers Finberg; his sisters, Carole Sue Cooper and RuthAnn Block; and his brother-in-law, Michael George Cooper, husband of Carole Sue.

Those who knew Tim will remember his quick wit, his easy laughter, and the way he brought warmth and light into every room. He was a proud father and grandfather who found his greatest joy in his family. Music is where we will always find him, and when we look to the sky and see a plane fly over, we will think of him soaring free, watching over us with love.

A service to celebrate Tim’s life will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Word of God Lutheran Church, 4486 Col Joe M. Jackson Medal of Honor Hwy, Sharpsburg, GA 30277.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Tim’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project or the International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation (ISHLT).

Tim’s life was a song of courage, joy, and devotion -- a flight well flown, a tune well played, and a love well shared.