Charles Francis Zimlinghaus

PENN VALLEY – Charles “Zimmy” Zimlinghaus, 88, peacefully passed away from cancer on December 29th surrounded by his loving children at his home in Lake Wildwood. Zimmy was born July 13, 1933, in Essex, NY, the son of George and Violet (Reed) Zimlinghaus. He grew up in Dover Plains, NY and after graduating high school and working at a local hospital, he served with the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Hornet during the Korean War. After the war ended, Zimmy attended a year of business school and landed a job with IBM. He moved to Los Angeles, California, met his wife, Patricia Ann Williams, and started a family. After a few years in Mahopac, NY the family settled in San Jose where Zimmy played on IBM softball teams, bowled in IBM bowling leagues, coached his children’s baseball teams and supported them in all their other endeavors.

After 30+ years at IBM, including a three-year stint in Paris, France, Zimmy retired at age 58, and he and Trish moved to the golfing community of Lake Wildwood in Penn Valley. Early in retirement, he pursued a dream of attending the Academy of Professional Umpiring and added umpiring to his other hobbies of playing softball, teaming up with his wife to play bridge, playing poker with the guys, golfing multiple times a week, and cheering on his beloved Los Angeles Dodgers! After 45 years of marriage, his wife Trish passed away in 2007. Zimmy remarried in 2009, having met his second wife, Domenica May Williams, at St. Patrick Catholic Church where they both were active members.

In addition to his parents and his first wife, Zimmy was predeceased by his brothers, Ernest and Andrew; his sister, Ellen Daby; and his stepson, Jonathan Williams. He is survived by his wife, May; son Kevin, of Longmont, CO; son Darin, of San Jose and his former wife, Karen Skelton of St. Augustine, FL; daughter Carol and her wife, Melissa Zantop, of Denver, CO; foster daughter Peggy Owen of San Jose; stepson, Terry Williams and his wife Dawn of Garden Grove, stepdaughter, Lena Vaughn-Williams of Auburn; many nieces and nephews; sixteen grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Zimmy was a caring husband, a loyal friend, a patient and loving father, and a gentle, supportive grandfather. Everyone who knew him will miss this truly good, humble, faithful man.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, February 3rd at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Grass Valley, with a reception to follow. Flowers can be sent to the church using Grass Valley Florist. Alternatively, gifts in Zimmy’s memory can be made to Hospice of the Foothills who provided their support and expertise in his final weeks.