Dearest family and friends,

We wanted to let you know after a long and arduous 16-year battle with dementia, Dennis finally walked with Jesus into eternity quickly, gently and peacefully on November 16, 2022. You are here because you knew Dennis - he was important to you and you were important to him. This space is designed for you to be able to share in your words and your way memories, stories, and encouragement for Edlynn, the family, and all of us who called Dennis "friend". Our hope is that each one of us will find our way forward in this world without him as we remember, honor and celebrate the gift he was to all of us. While each of us has a unique relationship and context with Dennis, here is a brief history of his life:

Dennis was born in Bernie, Missouri on September 18, 1941. He moved to Pontiac, Michigan at age 12 quickly becoming a Detroit Lions fan and starring in high school musicals such as "The King and I" and "South Pacific."

Dennis moved to California in 1962 with R.L. Polk and Co, managing city directories. His travels took him to Santa Rosa, where he responded to an advertisement for a car for sale and met Edlynn. His life was changed forever not only by meeting her, but by surrendering his life to follow Jesus and beginning to attend the CMA church in Santa Rosa. Dennis and Edlynn were married in 1966 and moved to Southern California where Dennis worked for Proctor & Gamble as well as Valassis Advertising. As talented as he was as a salesman and manager of people, anyone who knew Dennis knows his passion was Southern Gospel music.

Dennis formed The Watchmen Quartet in 1971 with a few others from Garden Grove Nazarene Church. They were asked to sing at other local churches until eventually the group became the full-time work of Dennis in 1990. He developed great relationships with others in the Gospel Music industry across the country through tours and festivals, and even wrote a column called "Pacifically Speaking" for the Singing News.

Dennis loved volunteering and spent countless hours serving with the local Highway Patrol office in Santa Ana. He also loved cars motorcycles, and anything he could drive, passing his love of vehicles on to several generations of Zimmermans.

If you know Dennis, you know one of his favorite phrases was "too blessed to be stressed". We all rest knowing that has never been more true as he drives, sings, and walks with Jesus in heaven. We will be having a small burial service for our immediate family, but we appreciate everyone's love and support and encourage everyone to share their favorite memories of Dennis on this memorial website.

Dennis is preceded in death by his mother, Lena, his father, Lloyd, and his brother, Danny. He is survived by his wife, Edlynn; daughter Diedre and son-in-law Rainer, their son Trent, their daughter Alexa and her husband Zack, and their sons (Dennis' great-grandsons) Caspian and Griffin; son Kyle and daughter-in-law Holiday, their daughters Summer and Cozette, and sons Kade and Tate; and his sister Guyneth.

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