Gary Gifford Zimmerman

Gary G. Zimmerman, 81, of Summerville, South Carolina, entered the presence of his Lord and Savior on November 20, 2025, after a courageous 14-year battle with cancer.

Born on January 25, 1944, in Barberton, Ohio, Gary accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at the age of 13 and sensed a clear calling to ministry. That calling began to take shape when he met his future wife, Jerri, in college. The two were married in 1964, beginning a lifelong partnership in love and ministry.

In 1974, Gary and Jerri answered God’s call to the mission field, moving with their three children to Costa Rica, where they served until 1979. A skilled carpenter, Gary returned to the United States and worked in home construction, eventually owning his own business building custom homes in Southern California. Even while running his construction business, Gary and Jerri remained deeply involved in missions, beginning a ministry called Love in Action (1 John 3:18), and leading teams from South Coast Community Church in Irvine, California (now Mariners Church), to Central and South America, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean.

The death of their daughter, Andrea L. Mischel, from cancer in 2004 marked a turning point in their ministry journey. Out of that deep grief, Gary and Jerri committed themselves to full-time ministry and founded Love in Action International Ministries (liaim.com). The ministry seeks to rescue orphaned, abandoned, abused, and extremely poor children in Latin America, introduce them to Jesus Christ, nurture them in a loving family home environment, and equip them through education and discipleship to impact the world. Gary poured his heart, gifts, and experience into this work, and his legacy of service and compassion continues through the lives of countless children and families.

Gary is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jerri L. Zimmerman of Summerville, SC; his son Darin Zimmerman and wife Cathie of Mount Pleasant, SC; his daughter Annette and husband Cory of Summerville, SC; and his sister, Marcia Okabe of Antelope, CA. He was preceded in death by his daughter Andrea L. Mischel; Andrea’s husband Robert Mischel and their sons Tyler and Kyle remain a cherished part of his legacy. In addition to Tyler and Kyle, Gary’s other beloved grandchildren are Megan, Matthew, Michelle, Michael, Sheridan, and Laramie. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, all of whom were deeply loved and faithfully prayed for by him.

Gary will be remembered for his steadfast faith, his gentle strength, his craftsmanship, his sense of humor, and his unwavering commitment to serving “the least of these” in Jesus’ name. He is missed by many, but his legacy of love, obedience, and generosity lives on in his family and in the lives of those he touched around the world.

A service celebrating Gary’s life will be held in early 2026, with details to be announced by the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Love in Action International Ministries at https://www.liaim.com/donate.

Arrangements by PARKS FUNERAL HOME, 130 West 1st North Street, Summerville, SC 29483. www.parksfuneralhome.com

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