Leland Merle Zimmerman, age 80, a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Sunday, September 1, 2019, after a brief illness at Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. He was born June 19, 1939, in Riverside, California, the son of Marguerite Wortman Zimmerman Chambers. Leland’s father, Howard (Buster) Zimmerman, and Marguerite divorced shortly after Leland was born. Leland’s mother married Harvey Chambers, who was a father figure, and taught him how to work with his hands and fix about anything. He spent a good part of his early childhood with his great grandparents, Hattie and Miles (O-My) Painter, who were instrumental in the development of his character and ethics. Leland graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1957. He joined the National Guard after high school and served until 1965. Leland married the love of his life, W. Maxine Zimmerman, February 15, 1959, in Xenia, Kansas at the Baptist Church. They had two children, Roberta and Randy. Leland held many jobs over the years to make sure he always provided for his family. He worked for RC driving a route, then took a job driving a sales route for Manor Bread. He became a fireman with the Fort Scott Fire Department in 1964 and retired after 27 years in May of 1991. Leland loved his work with the Fire Department and formed many lifelong friendships with the crew. Leland and Maxine went on to have a small business, Z’s Fire Extinguishers, later working for Security Transport, and ending his work career at Ward-Kraft at the age of 75. It was a lifelong dream of Leland’s to design and build a home for his family. That dream was fulfilled when they moved into their new home that he built in 1983. Leland and Maxine loved to travel and explore, at times with friends and family, and other times on their cycle – Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, and Washington were some of their favorite trips (making it to all but 3 states). Leland was an avid cycle rider – starting at 12 he had his first motorized bike and had several other motorcycles through his life until finally getting his first GoldWing. Leland most enjoyed being with his family. He loved serving the Lord and was a member of the Grace Baptist Tabernacle in Fort Scott, Kansas. Leland was loved and respected, and will be missed by many.
Survivors include his wife, Maxine, of the home and his sweet dog Penny. Also surviving are his daughter Roberta Forester and husband Ernie, and Randy Zimmerman and wife Marnie, all of Fort Scott, Kansas; 4 grandchildren, Richie & Tiffany Forester, Robbie & Jessica Forester, Ryan & LaToyia Forester, and Randy Kyle & Lindsey Forester; and 10 great grandchildren, Meghann, Tara, Hadley, Wyatt, Lexie, April, Rylan, Grant, Nash, and Emmy. Other survivors include nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister Marjorie Lucille Chambers, and great grandson Karson Forester.
Leland’s life will be celebrated at 2pm, Thursday, September 5th at Grace Baptist Tabernacle. The family will receive friends from 5-7pm Wednesday at the Family Life Center/Grace Baptist Tabernacle. Memorials are suggested in lieu of flowers to the Fort Scott Fire Department or Grace Baptist Tabernacle and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, PO Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
