Leon Zimmerman

Leon Zimmerman, 86, of Hilliard, FL, passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at his home after a brief illness. Born May 6, 1928 in Brooklyn, New York, Leon moved with his family to Cheyenne, Wyoming at the age of eight. He attended the University of Wyoming, where he earned a BS in General Engineering in 1949 and was a member of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. He continued to serve our country in the Air Force Reserves. He later joined the rest of his family in Jacksonville, working initially as a carpenter and homebuilder with his father and brother. In 1950, he married Mary Ganson and raised a family of four sons. An entrepreneur, he started Radco Distributors, a wholesale business specializing in lawn mower and small engine parts, with customers throughout Florida and Georgia. Because existing software programs did not meet his unique business vision, he mastered computer programming to build an industry-leading technology platform which automated both the inventory control and distribution processes. Passionate about learning to fly, he earned his pilot’s license and flew a variety of private planes. He also learned to scuba dive and was excellent bridge player. Known for his wry sense of humor, Zimmerman was also active in community-based service organizations, including Sertoma and the Masonic Ionic Lodge #101. He is survived by his beloved wife, Katherine, his brother Ben, sons Mark (Ellen), Donald (Betsy), and Rob, along with six grandchildren, Laura (Istvan) Pajor, Sarah (Ian) Driver, Casie (Jared) Davidson, Danyelle (Myles) Minchew, Danae (Justin) Higginbotham, and Aron Zimmerman, as well as five great grandchildren, Isaac, Mylee-Anne, Albert, Bryer, and Berk. He is also survived by his first wife, Mary Zimmerman Beissinger. Contributions may be made to the Masonic Ionic Lodge #101 (1011 Roselle St., Jacksonville, FL 32204) or Vitas Hospice (Vitas Community Connection, 7406 Fullerton St., Suite 105, Jacksonville, FL 32256). A graveside service will be held Thursday, January 15 at 2:00 pm at Riverside Memorial Park, Jacksonville. Funeral Arrangements are under the care of Hardage-Giddens Town & Country Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205.