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Craig ZIMMERS Obituary
Craig Lee Zimmers, 71, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2021. On September 26, 1949, he was born in Dayton, Ohio, to the late Neal and Annabel Zimmers. He completed his high school education at Phillips Academy in Andover, MA. He graduated with his bachelor's degree from Duke University and his master's degree from the University of Dayton. Craig dedicated his life to public service. He founded and ran a substance abuse treatment facility (Nova House) in his hometown of Dayton, Ohio. His duty to serve then carried him into the political realm as he served as Harrison Township Trustee before serving seven years as the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts. His work took him across the globe. He went to China leading economic development trips on behalf of the State of Ohio. As Clerk of Courts, he traveled to Albania to facilitate the first free elections.
Along with his public service pursuits, Craig had many other unique accomplishments in his life, including owning the radio station WZJX FM in Dayton, traveling with his wife to all seven continents, and serving as president and managing partner of several companies.
Craig made friends wherever he went, and those friendships often lasted a lifetime. His loyalty and support of his friends were unrivaled. His love for family, friends, and public service knew no limits. He was a person full of compassion, authenticity, and intellectual curiosity.
Craig will be greatly missed by his wife of 39 years, Dr. Sharon Zimmers; daughter, Stefanie Zimmers; siblings, Neal (Billie) Zimmers, Jr., Elaine Zimmers Johnson, and Dr. Ann Marie
Rogers; and nieces and nephews Nathan (Sara) Johnson,
AnneElise (Andy) Goetz, Tyler (Erin) Rogers, and Andrea (Frank) Foster.
A celebration of life for Craig will be held on May 17th from 5-7 pm at Coco's Bistro (Warren Street). In place of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Judge Neal and Annabel Zimmers Scholarship Fund in the care of The Dayton Foundation, 40 N. Main St., Suite 500, Dayton, OH 45423. To share online condolences, visit www.schoedinger.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Craig ZIMMERS
Sponsored by Schoedinger Worthington.
5 Entries
Jean Turner
December 30, 2022
Sharon and Stephanie, I was shocked and so saddened to see Craigs obit. I have been thinking of our political endeavors. I missed you guys when you left Dayton, and I will now really miss my Precious Friend.
Sarah and Joe Leahey
May 17, 2021
Craig was always so kind and sweet whenever we saw him . We were amazed at the love he and Sharon always shared. What a beautiful couple .
Ed Beron
May 17, 2021
I've known Craig since I was 16 and he was 17 and we attended Duke University together. In 1967 our lives and the world, changed very quickly and forever. Craig and I have remained in touch and have been friends thru it all. In 2013, I suffered a traumatic brain injury due to a ruptured AVM and very nearly died. Craig was right there thru it all! He was on the phone with my wife every few days, checking on my recovery for many weeks while I was in the hospital, offering his support and assistance in any way he could. He even offered to come home from the hospital with me to help care for me once I was released! In the years since my initial TBI, Craig has traveled to New Jersey 9 times to visit and spend time with me! He was always there...he called, he texted, he visited! That's the kind of friend he was! When Craig called to tell me that he was sick, he insisted that I not worry about him...he would always say, "dont worry about me, I'm more worried about you!" Sharon & Stephanie, our hearts go out to you! We can only imagine how difficult this must be for you! He talked about you both all the time when he visited and you could just see the happiness written all over him! He loved you both so very much! One of the things Craig and I shared was our love of music. And he knew that one of my favorite songs of all time was "Knocking on Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan. None of us knows what awaits us on the other side but, I hope to see him there where we will once again talk and laugh and reminisce and enjoy each other's company. He was a good and honorable man and a great friend and the world was a better place with him in it. We loved him and our hearts are aching too. We will miss him!
Ann Stevens
May 1, 2021
So sad to learn of Craig's passing. I worked with him in Columbus and remember him fondly. Much sympathy to his family and friends.
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Klaus Teichert
May 1, 2021
Farewell my dear, dear friend! It has been a deep and wonderful friendship for almost a quarter of a century. From all the continents there are, we traveled together three of them and it has been an immense joy and honor to share these extraordinary experiences.
You once traveled across the pond just for enjoying the fun to knock on my door at “The Accident” in the very south of Spain, asking me whether I’d come out to play. We had so much fun together and we had a big time talking politics.
You will be forever in my heart.
XXX,
Klaus
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