James moved to Dallas, Texas when he was 10 years old and has lived in the metroplex ever since. He graduated from Rylie High School in 1959 where he immediately went to work at St. Regis Paper Co. and worked there until he retired in 1992. In retirement he went to work for Loden's Machine Shop in Balch Springs, Texas. James later opened his own machine shop called "Z & Z Motorsports" and "Chase Me Racing".
James spent 60 plus years in his racing career being a race car builder, race car owner and driver and an engineer, a master engine builder known as the "Blue Motor Man". James was a mechanical genius, and a racing legend. Some of his accomplishments included his 14 (that we can recall) Track Championships, 2 of which were in the same year, countless wins in the 7 different classes of cars, 20 different drivers, he helped many racers and collected classic trucks and cars. James was a husband, father of 4, papaw of 12, great papaw of 12 and a friend to countless others.
James is proceeded in death by his parents Ray and Charm Zimmerman.
Those left with cherished memories are his loving wife Carolyn Zimmerman of 38 years; son Dennis and Donita Zimmerman of Forney TX, daughter Brandy Owens of Mesquite TX, son Danny and Whitney Brummett of Van TX, daughter Mickye and Les Castillo of Crandall TX; brother Kenneth Zimmerman and wife Linda of Dallas, TX; Grandchildren: Callie and Blake Parker, Amanda and Cody Smith, Racey and Shannon Turner, Brock and Michelle Rockwell, Halie Allen, Jordan Rockwell, Laci Zimmerman, Heather Zimmerman, Samson and Jamie Robinson, Adam and Kassie Robinson, Bailye Brummett, Levi Castillo; great grandchildren: Kynzii, Brinleigh, Rhylen, Blaine, Slayde, Bentley, Stryker, Bryn Bryn, Keaton, Cohen, Emma, Reagan and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and a huge racing family that will miss him dearly.
A visitation for James will be held Friday, August 9, 2019 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Roselawn Funeral Home in Seagoville, Texas. A funeral service will occur Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Central Baptist Church, in Crandall, Texas following with a graveside service at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in the Court of Liberty Garden where he will be laid to rest.
Serving as pallbearers are Randy Hinton, Robert Sims, Bobby Morphis, Jason Daugherty, Lloyd Ashcraft, Jamie Owens, Thomas Blackwell, Lee Mccullough, Ricky Randall, Tommy Mckinley, Francisco Tamez and Terry Hopkins.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.roselawn-funerals.com for the Zimmerman family.
PALLBEARERS
Randy Hinton
Robert Sims
Bobby Morphis
Jason Daugherty
Lloyd Ashcraft
Jamie Owens
Thomas Blackwell
Lee Mccullough
Ricky Randall
Tommy Mckinley
Francisco Tamez
Terry Hopkins
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