First Lt. James Zimmerman

    Zimmerman, James, First Lt., 25, November 2, 2010.  Arrangements by Bowers Funeral Home.  Interment to be held in the Arlington National Cemetery.
    RICHLANDS, NC and SMYRNA – First Lt. James Zimmerman, 25, killed in action Nov. 2, 2010 by small arms fire while leading his men engaging the enemy. He was born May 18, 1985 in Presque Isle, the son of Thomas and Jane (Kendrick) Zimmerman.
    He was a graduate of Greater Houlton Christian Academy, class of 2003, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on March 21, 2003, the first day of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He attended boot camp at Paris Island, S.C. He served in the Marine Corps Reserve, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Topsham, Maine for one year and afterwards was awarded a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship in 2004. He attended The University of Maine, Orono where he graduated in 2008 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the US Marine Corps. While at Orono he met his bride-to-be, Lynel Winters, who he later married on June 21, 2008. He attended The Basic School (TBS) and the Infantry Officer Course (IOC) in Quantico, VA, after which he was assigned as  Platoon Commander for The 2nd Battalion 6th Marine Regiment of Camp Lejeune, NC. In May, 2010 he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, US Marine Corps. He was deployed on June 13, 2010 to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Throughout his military career he aspired to lead by example and loved his men, who in return loved him and respected his leadership and example. His lifelong ambition was to serve in the US Marine Corps and dedicate his life to his country. He loved  bonfires, drawing, carving, the outdoors, his backyard where he grew up, sailing and his horse, Chico. James never tired of giving his mother a hug. He dearly loved his family, his God and his country.
    Besides his parents of Smyrna, he is survived by his wife, Lynel of Richlands, NC; whom he adored passionately; one brother, Christian Zimmerman of Montgomery, TX; a sister, Meghan Foster and her husband, Nathan of Hodgdon; grandmother, Althea Zimmerman of Hampden; two nephews and one niece, Tristen, Trestin, and Madison Zimmerman of Texas; several aunts, uncles and cousins who loved him dearly.
    Friends may call 9-10:45 a.m. on Thursday, November 11 at Houlton High School, 7 Bird Street, Houlton where funeral services will be held 11 a.m. A time of fellowship will be held following services at the County Road Baptist Church, New Limerick. Interment will be at the Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate to Greater Houlton Christian Academy, 28 School Street, Houlton, ME 04730.