Darrell Dale Zimmer

A Mass of Christian burial for Darrell Dale Zimmer, 80, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sulphur. The Rev. Aubrey V. Guilbeau will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in Mimosa Pines Cemetery South in Carlyss. Mr. Zimmer died on October 8th after a six month battle with pancreatic cancer. Visitation will be held in Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home from 4-9 p.m. on Friday with a Scripture service at 6 p.m. followed by recitation of the rosary. Visitation will resume in the funeral home on Saturday from 8 a.m.

Mr. Zimmer was born in his grandparents’ farmhouse on Sept. 6, 1934, at Friend, Seward County, Neb. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school. He graduated from Beaver Crossing High School in 1951. He obtained a B.S. degree in Chemistry from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1955. He was employed by the Continental Oil Company (Conoco) first as a lab chemist at the refinery in Ponca City, Okla., until 1959 when he relocated to the new refinery in Westlake, La. He later transferred to the Conoco Chemicals facility and continued to work after the sale and transition to Vista Chemical. He rose to the position of Chief Chemist after a career spanning 34 years. Mr. Zimmer returned to school during this time and received an MBA degree from McNeese State University. Prior to retirement, he bought property south of DeQuincy and enjoyed raising fruit and Christmas trees, as well as raising a large garden. A world traveler, he spent time with his wife enjoying the cruise vacation lifestyle and took advantage of exploring new destinations globally.

An avid sportsman and outdoorsman, he enjoyed his passion for fishing with camps at both Hackberry and Toledo Bend. Many memories were made there. He loved Nebraska Cornhusker football and rarely missed a game. Being very education minded, he relished in and was very proud of his children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments both in the classroom and in their extracurricular activities, including countless ball games, dance recitals, among their many and varied activities. He endowed the educations of all his grandchildren and his legacy will carry on to future generations.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Marion Winifred (Lawson) Zimmer; and his grandparents, Jacob and Sarah (Jausi) Zimmer, and Edwin and Ellen (Johnson) Lawson. He was also preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Herbert J. and wife Frances (Miller) Cast.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Lois Jean (Cast) Zimmer; his daughter, Ann and husband Danny Callahan of Sulphur; his sons, Jay and wife Deborah (Clements) Zimmer, of Lafayette, La., and David and wife Raynel (Cooney) Zimmer, of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by one brother, Lyle and wife Deloris Zimmer of Friend, Neb.; and one sister, Dorothy and husband Dale Due of Cordova, Neb.; and numerous nieces and nephews who are spread throughout the country.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Derek and wife Kim Fruge, Jeremy and fiancée Kelsey (Kibbie) Fruge, all of Lake Charles, La., Jennifer (Callahan) and husband Tiger Sims, Allison Callahan, all of Sulphur, La., Ashley (Zimmer) and husband Jude David, Grant Zimmer, Jason Zimmer, Melanie Zimmer, all of Lafayette, La., Christopher and wife Anne (Crowsen) Zimmer, Justin and fiancée Randie (Dennies) Zimmer of New Orleans, La., and Tyler Zimmer of Baton Rouge, La., Nadine (Callahan) and husband Shannon Blake and Michelle (Callahan) and husband Jeffrey Scoggins, both of Sulphur, La..

Great-grandchildren include Lilliana and Luke Fruge, Jude Colby David, Christopher and Benjamin Zimmer, Chaz and Brice and Audrey Schrumpf, and Ashton Blake, Leo and Lexi Cornett, and three more on the way.

Pallbearers will be his devoted grandsons, Derek Fruge, Jeremy Fruge, Christopher Zimmer, Justin Zimmer, Tyler Zimmer, Grant Zimmer and Jason Zimmer. Readings during services and gift bearers will be by his granddaughters. The family would like to thank Dr. Khan and the caring nurses at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital in Sulphur, the staff at Grand Cove Nursing Home, the staff of Brighton Bridge Hospice and Ms. Tammy Flowers for all of their gentle and loving care. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.