James “Jim” Zimmerman
July 16, 1928 — July 21, 2015
Born in Seattle, WA, Jim moved to San Jose, CA with his parents at age 17. He entered the Marine Corps in 1946 and was sent to China, serving in the Asiatic-Pacific tour of duty visiting Shanghai, Peking, Tsingtao, and Guam. Discharged in 1947, he returned to San Jose and married Shirley Amato who passed away in 1975.
Jim began his career in the electrical field employed by Santoro Electric. Thereafter, he became a valued employee of the small wholesale supply house of Buckles-Smith Electric Co. In 1959, he became half-owner of the rapidly expanding and successful business with Bob Buckles, Jr., and orchestrated a move to their building on Savaker Ave. and opened four branches in surrounding areas. He retired after 50 years in July 2000 to his home in Pleasanton with his wife of 39 years, Pauline, leaving his interest in the business to his son, Ron.
He continued to enjoy his life fishing, boating, traveling, and vacationing in their home at South Lake Tahoe.
He is survived by his wife, his son Ronald of Morgan Hill, his daughter Janice Kaiser of Antioch, their spouses, six grandchildren and five great-granddaughters. As he wished, his ashes were scattered in the San Francisco Bay that he loved so much. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
Tagged with buckles-smith, tED