James "Jim" Lowell Zimmermann

James “Jim” Lowell Zimmermann, 89, of Austin, TX, formerly of Port Arthur and Kirbyville, TX, died on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 in Austin. He was born on February 3, 1935, in Port Arthur to Lee and Ella Zimmermann. Jim reaffirmed his baptismal faith by rite of confirmation at St. John’s English Lutheran Church, Port Arthur, on April 17, 1949. He married Emma Geraldine “Gerry” Wehmeyer on September 17, 1955 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Port Arthur. In their marriage, they were blessed with 2 sons, James Jr. and Kevin.

He attended schools in Nederland, TX and graduated from Nederland High School in 1952. While in high school, Jim was a member of the Choral Club for four years and developed his love of music and his beautiful tenor voice. He also was a member of the football and basketball teams for one year. He then studied music at Texas Lutheran College in 1952.

After returning to Port Arthur in 1953, Jim attended Port Arthur College and began his business career working at KPAC-AM radio station as Studio Engineer. He then transitioned to working for Triangle Broadcasting Co. as Manager & Chief Engineer where he designed and built the KFMP-FM radio station. He then continued his career by working for the DuPont Chemicals Co., the B. F. Goodrich Rubber Co. and the PolySar Rubber Co. as General Foreman for the Systems Department. Through various mergers and acquisitions he was eventually employed by the Bayer Corp. and completed his career by retiring in 1994 as Supervisor of Maintenance & Safety Training.

In addition to his career and family, Jim had many interests and passions that included photography and video recording for family and friends of various events such as weddings, reunions, graduations, anniversaries, baptisms, confirmations, birthdays, retirements, vacations and church celebrations and special services. After retirement and moving to Austin in 1994, Jim was blessed to be able to travel by motorhome with his wife, sons and other family members to many beautiful and scenic locations, including State and National Parks, within North America. “Glamping” became one of his favorite activities. He returned from these trips with many hours of scenic video footage.

He especially loved singing to the Glory of God as an expression of his faith and ministry as a member of church choirs at St. John’s, Trinity and Redeemer Lutheran Church here in Austin. His love of fellowship with other choir members through practicing and performing at church were the highlight of his week! Jim also served as the Choir Director for many years at Trinity. Jim was very active in the church youth groups growing up and into his adulthood as he and his wife, Gerry, served as youth group counselors for many years at Trinity. Jim and Gerry led numerous people to Christ through their active leadership in the Couples Club and Game Night at both Trinity and Redeemer.

As an additional ministry to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, he designed, built and installed affordable, professional sound systems and radio broadcast capabilities for numerous churches in Texas, including his home congregation of Trinity. In 1959 the Trinity congregation became one of the first churches to broadcast weekly, Sunday morning services over KFMP-FM radio in Southeast Texas. While serving as President of Trinity, he oversaw a major renovation of, and personally did the electrical wiring for the church balcony prior to the installation of the new Schantz pipe organ. Jim also served as an elected member of many of the governing boards and committees at Trinity.

He was preceded in death by his wife Gerry, son Kevin, parents, Lee & Ella and brothers, Daniel and Lynn Zimmermann. He is survived by his son James Jr. of Austin, his foster daughter Laurie Miller and her husband Edward of Orange, TX, Laurie’s daughter’s; Megan Kistner and her husband Kyle and daughters Madison and Keira of Bridge City, TX and Bree Fontenot of Austin and Jim’s “adoptive” family, David Hassell, his wife Mamta Jayavardhan and their son Lucas of Cedar Park, TX.

Jim is also survived by his brother, Harold Zimmermann and his wife Melrose of Austin, brother-in-law Henry Wehmeyer and his wife Rosanne of Alamogordo, NM, sister-in-law Ruth Potts of Crystal Beach, TX and sister-in-law Ethel Sullivan and her husband John of Springfield, VA and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and many friends. Jim was very honored and proud to have served as a godparent to many children of relatives and friends, loved each and every one of them very much and maintained relationships with many of them into their adult lives.

The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude and many thanks to the health care workers and staff of Choice Hospice, especially Sherry and Mimi, and also the staff of Pecan Ridge Memory Care, both of Austin, for lovingly treating and caring for Jim in his final days.

Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the Music Ministry Fund at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Austin, TX, to the Grounds Fund at St. Paul Lutheran Church-Rehburg in Burton, TX or to the Video Broadcast Fund at Peace Lutheran Church in Groves, TX.

A visitation for Jim will be held Sunday, March 3, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752. A funeral service will occur Monday, March 4, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1500 W Anderson Ln., Austin, TX 78757. A graveside service will occur Tuesday, March 5, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at Rehburg Cemetery, 4450 FM 1948, Burton, TX 77835.

Serving as pallbearers are Mark Zimmermann, Byron Zimmermann, Alan Zimmermann, Jeff Zimmermann, Clarence "Butch" Landry, Dwight "Ike" Landry, Gary Rottmann, Steve Hubert, James Schulenberg, Jim Kiel, Steve Jarvis, Justin Althaus, David Wehmeyer, Jay Hubert, John L "Chip" Sullivan, III, David Hassell and Roger Hassell.