Nickey Dee Zimmerman, 64, was born March 8, 1954, to Archie and Lena Mae (Burk) Zimmerman in Hobart.
He attended school at Mtn. View and graduated in May 1972. He attended college for one semester at Murray State College in Tishamingo, and was on the livestock judging team. He returned home to work and married his high school sweetheart, Connie Pritchard, June 17, 1973.
Nickey became a Christian at the age of 18, after much persuasion from Connie to attend a revival. He decided the only way to shut her up was to attend Sunday morning services. When the invitation was given he took her by the hand and walked to the altar. With Connie holding his hand he asked Jesus into his heart. He became a member of First Baptist Church in Cordell and faithfully attended services.
Nickey and Connie resided in Mtn. View the first year of marriage. They moved to Hobart in September 1974 where he worked as a route salesman for Hobart Seed Company. In April 1977, he decided it was time to return to his roots and they moved to the Saddle Mtn. area where he operated a dairy and farming operation with his brother Rickey.
Nickey and Connie took square dance lessons and he discovered his love of singing and calling square dances. Soon he was traveling all over Oklahoma as well as Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Utah, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia and South Carolina. He always laughed and said he never got to see South Carolina in the daylight. Many times he was welcomed into dance members’ homes and had many fond memories of the friendships he made and the meals he was served.
Nickey loved to travel and discovered his love for the beach. He and Connie made many trips to Jamaica, where they were considered Jamericans. But his love for his family made him happiest of all. Many miles were traveled to watch soccer, football, basketball and baseball games that the grandchildren played.
Nickey will be remembered for his laughter and giving everyone a hard time or telling a tale of days passed. All the children at school loved Mr. Nickey. He was employed by Mtn. View-Gotebo schools for 15 years where his love for children grew each day. He was always quick to pay for an extra milk, sneak an extra cookie or even reach in his pocket to give money to go to the Hop and Sack to buy a pop. Even in his last days his mind was filled with arranging for buses, helping teachers and seeing all the children.
Nickey is survived by his wife of 45 years Connie; daughters Cathy and Chris Johnson, and Cara Barnett; grandchildren Madison Johnson, Parker Johnson, Jarrett Butler, and Jaxton Barnett; brother Rickey (Cheryl) Zimmerman; sister Vickie Lowry; nephews Todd (Cindy) Zimmerman, Toby (Christy) Lowry, and Dennis (Lisa) Red; nieces Tara Zimmerman (Kenneth Tillotson), Tonya (Todd) Thompson and Lori Red Ademiluyi and many great-nieces and nephews and numerous dear friends and family.
Nickey was preceded in death by his parents Archie and Lena Mae Zimmerman; His parents-in-law Logan and Winona Pritchard; his grandparents Benjaman and Ellen Zimmerman and Frank and Effie Burk.
Funeral Services were held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, Dec. 24, 2018, at the Mtn. View-Gotebo High School Gymnasium with burial following at Green Valley Cemetery.
Services are under the direction of Fort Cobb Funeral Home, Fort Cobb, Oklahoma.
Messages of condolences may be sent to the family at www.smithfuneralservices.com.