A very bright light was extinguished on Sunday, Sept. 8 when our beloved Jerry left this earth after a courageous fight against cancer.

This extraordinary man left his mark in so many ways that will live in our hearts and memories.

Jerry was born April 17, 1962, in Camp Lejeune, N.C. to Cdr. Lonnie V. and Luanne Zimmerman and joined his older brother and sister.

Our favorite pictures of him from childhood show him smiling with his cute impish grim and covered with dirt. We are sure that his affinity for soil instilled his life-long love of the outdoors and he became an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed epic camping trips with his family and friends.

Being of Navy offspring, he moved with his family to Rockville, Md., at age 2 and moved to the west coast at age 9 and landed in Oak Harbor.

Jerry graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1980 and continued his education at Washington State University and Chapman University graduating with a degree in business managment.

He was a rabid fan of the WSU Cougs. Jerry settled in Port Angeles in 1990 and worked for the Payless Corporation for 10 years and with Sterling Management until his retirement earlier this year.

In 1984, he married Carolee Ditwell and became the father of his “two beautiful girls who were his greatest accomplishment,” Leanna, 25, and Lynnea, 22.

Jerry was additionally blessed by the birth of this grandson Easton, 2, who was the best present he ever received.

Jerry married Lynnea Tucker in August 2011 and although their time together was far too brief, it was remarkable.

Jerry leaves behind his heartbroken family — his adoring parents, Lon and Luanne; his loving wife, Lynnea Tucker Zimmerman; daughters Leanna Schlichting and Lynnea Zimmerman; and grandon Easton. Also Leanna’s husband, Bill Schlichting, who he considered a son; brother, Mike, and his wife, Nursim, in Izmir, Turkey; and sister, Kristy Pelle, and husband, Dan, and nephews, Sam and Ben, in Spokane.

His niece and nephews thought he was the coolest uncle ever.

Included in his extended family are close friends Gary and Edna Hurst and Doug and Tammy Toczek, his best friends since junior high school.

He was preceded in death by his niece Jessica and his grandparents Jean and Curt Curtis.

Although his life was far too short, we are so thankful for the time we had with Jerry and we have no doubt that we will reunite with him again.

He was the greatest son, brother, father, husband and grandfather and led by shining example.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Hospice of Port Angeles for their wonderful care of Jerry in his last days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Hospice of Port Angeles or the American Cancer Society.

A private family service will be held in Port Angeles, and a Celebration of Life will be held in October.