Elroy John Zimmermann

A member of the Greatest Generation has died. Elroy entered this world on Sunday, October 31, 1926, the third child and second son to John Zimmermann and Annie Ohnheiser Zimmermann. He died on September 23, 2023, at the age of 96 years, 10 months, and 22 days. 

Elroy’s father was a farmer and cattleman in the Swiss Alp community. During the Great Depression, the family moved to the Black Jack/O’Quinn community where the family continued farming. In March 1945, Elroy was called to the service of his country in the US Navy. He served on the USS Panda, a tanker support ship, which, at the time of his service, supported the USS Indianapolis. He was honorably discharged from the navy on May 15, 1946, at Camp Wallace, Texas. Elroy returned to the family home and worked for a brief time for the Carnation Milk Company in Schulenburg. 

He married Vernell Albers on October 12, 1947, and began a nearly 25-year career as a poultryman with Albers Hatchery and Feed in La Grange. The family lived on what is now Loehr Road on The Bluff, but when the family grew from two to four and then later to six, they moved to a larger home on Pearl Street in La Grange. During this time, Elroy was proud that two of his daughters showed Grand Champion chickens at the State Fair of Texas, while his third daughter had Grand Champion chickens at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The house often smelled of the “secret ingredient mash” that led to the championship chickens.

As his children left for college, Elroy left La Grange and began work with the Texas A&M University Experimental Station and their poultry testing program. He enjoyed traveling around Texas, and he made personal and professional relationships that continued for nearly 50 years. It was at this time that he moved to Santa Fe, Texas. 

Elroy married Earline Kinney Bahr on July 1, 1989, in Santa Fe, TX. They were married 34 years and continued to raise cattle, traveling between Santa Fe, Waelder, and La Grange properties. Their marriage was always based on “Helping Others.”  

Elroy’s retirement from Texas A&M University did not lead to sitting in the rocking chair. He continued to raise cattle and meet all the challenges of maintaining a herd. The addition of twelve grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren was one of the greatest joys in his life. He now had time to participate in charitable works with his church and entertain the grandchildren and great-grandchildren during family gatherings. He also had time to enjoy his love of sweets. Elroy was a lifelong member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Grange and loved attending the congregation’s Circle of Love luncheon each year. Until his death, he always wanted to be working, and he certainly did not let any grass grow under his feet during his lifetime.

Elroy is predeceased by his father and mother; four brothers and one sister; two daughters, Carol Zimmermann Payne and Kathy Zimmermann Bohne; and son-in-law, Mario Coronado. He is survived by his sister, Gladys Weir; wife, Earline Zimmermann; son, David Zimmermann and wife Kay Davis Zimmermann; daughter, Janet Coronado; stepson, Michael and wife Melinda Bahr; stepdaughter, Vicki and husband Kirk Douglas; and numerous nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 am on Friday, September 29, 2023, at Arcadia Christian Church, 14201 Beriton Street, Santa Fe, Texas. Visitation with the family will precede the service at 9:00 am and lunch will follow in the church fellowship hall. A graveside service at the La Grange City Cemetery in La Grange, Texas, is scheduled at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 30, 2023. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the “Helping Others” program at Arcadia Christian Church or the charity of your choosing.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Fayette Memorial Funeral Home in La Grange. Please share your thoughts and fond memories online at fayettememorialfuneralhome.com.