Jerome Zimmer

Jerome B. Zimmer passed away peacefully at 11:37 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2003, in Cape Girardeau. With him at the time were his six sons, Jerry, Tom, David, Don, John, and James. He is also survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia.

Mr. Zimmer was born in his family home in Cape Girardeau July 15, 1921, son of Robert Benedict Zimmer and Mary Elizabeth Wulfers Zimmer, the seventh of 10 children, and was the last surviving member of his family.

He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish. Mr. Zimmer attended St. Mary's School in Cape Girardeau, and graduated from Chaminade High School in St. Louis in 1939. He then attended Southeast Missouri State University.

In 1951 he began his business career in Cape Girardeau and started his first radio station at Dexter, Mo., in 1956, with his partner, Dean Spiedel. In 1966 he started KZYM Radio in Cape Girardeau, one of the first country music stations in the U.S.

Mr. Zimmer continued to expand his radio interests in Zimmer Broadcasting with the help of his sons. Today, Zimmer Radio Group comprises 32 stations in Missouri (including five in Cape Girardeau), Illinois and Kansas. In 1996 he received the Missouri Broadcasters Association Lifetime Achievement Award.

His wife, Patricia; six sons, 12 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, survive Mr. Zimmer.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home today from 4 to 8 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Vincent de Paul Church. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Notre Dame High School in Cape Girardeau.