On Sunday, July 22, a beloved father, husband, son, and brother was taken from us far too soon.Rick was born in Winter Park, Florida on September 19, 1980. He was welcomed into this world with so much love from so many people! His parents, Rick Zimmer Sr. and Mary Lee Andrews Zimmer (who preceded Rick in death in 1996) were so proud of him. Rick Sr. and Mary also had two other sons – Matt, and Jeffery, who passed away in infancy in 1982. Rick graduated from Edgewater High School in 1999. He then graduated from Florida State University in 2004. Having a love for FSU, he chose to return and receive his Juris Doctorate from their law school in 2009. Rick married the love of his life, Jennifer McKinnie on May 20, 2007. He and Jen had a wonderful little family with his son Nolan being born on December 11, 2009, and his little one, Rory, born on August 17, 2016. His boys were his world and he loved them more than anything. He was an awesome father and we are all so proud of him for that.Rick became a proud member of the Florida Bar in 2009 after passing his bar exam on the first attempt. Rick was one smart guy and everyone looked up to him because of it. Rick worked for a few local law firms in the area before taking a position with the Florida Department of Children and Families in February 2015 as a hearing officer for appeals cases. He was fair and kind and many of his decisions made many folks lives so much better. He will be sorely missed by his colleagues who cared for him and admired him. Another of Rick’s passions was teaching. He was also an adjunct professor at Valencia College in Orlando. He began teaching there in 2010. He taught many types of law courses there. He was a truly dedicated professor who cared deeply for his students and was always there for them. His students truly connected with him. Rick loved his family dearly. In addition to his wife Jen and his boys, Nolan and Rory, Rick had an amazing brother, Matt Karash of Orlando. Matt and his wife, Josie, and children, Kyler and Nicholas were a big part of Rick’s life. He and Matt always livened up any family gathering with their hilarious banter. Rick will always be remembered for his unique sense of humor. Rick also had three uncles of which, his Uncle Carl preceded him in death. He was so loved by him. Rick’s surviving uncles are Ralph Wilson of Orlando and John Keim of Maitland. Rick also leaves behind a myriad of long time friends, co-workers, acquaintances and so many others his life touched who loved him and will miss him terribly. Finally Rick’s interests and hobbies included writing and playing music, playing trivia (he was a whiz!), and going to the beach and bodyboarding. He always said that beach therapy was the best! Most of all he was a totally devoted football fan of his alma mater, Florida State University as well as their other sports programs. He was a true, proud Seminole to his very core! We all send him love and wish him peace and look forward to being with him again. A Visitation and Gathering of Friends and Family will be held Wednesday evening, August 1st from 7p-9p in the chapel of Shannon Maloney Funeral Home, 4084 Halifax Drive, Port Orange. A Celebration of Rick's Life will also be held Saturday, August 4th at 3pm at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 2140 W. State Road 434, Longwood, FL 32779. A later celebration will also be held in Port Orange, FL.
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