Ronald George Zimmerman, 74, of Drums, Pennsylvania passed on January 13, 2025, at his residence in following a three-year illness.
Born August 31, 1950, Ron was a resident of Drums his entire life. He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors.
Ron was a graduate of Hazleton Area High School class of 1968, where he lettered in the wrestling program. He was also a graduate of DeVry Computer Education Institute, Philadelphia; class of 1969.
Ron entered the United States Marine Corps in September of 1969. After graduating from boot camp and from the Electronics A School, Jacksonville, Florida; he served on numerous Marine Corps and Naval Air Stations within the United States, including Hawaii, and in the Asian Theater of Operations which included Japan, Okinawa, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, South Viet Nam, along with a few locations that “he wasn’t there.” Eventually, he served in all three Marine Air Wings Groups and all four Marine Divisions, during eight-plus years of active-duty service.
Ron transferred to Marine Reserve Motor Transport Unit WTS 47, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, and served an additional 15 years with the unit as a Motor Transport Maintenance Chief, Senior Military Instructor, and NBC Advanced Warfare Specialist, retiring as a Master Sergeant E-8 in 1990. He was awarded numerous medals: the Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, National Defense Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Marine Corps Good Conduct with one Bronze Star, Marine Corps Reserve Good Conduct with two Bronze Stars, 15 year Honorable Service Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. and also became one of the few Marines to qualify as an Expert Rifle and Pistol shooter both right and left-handed.
Ronald was employed by PPL as a Transformer Repair Technician from 1978 to 1984, and a Fire Protection Specialist from 1984 until his retirement in 2009. He also served as a Certified Red Cross First Aid Instructor in CPR for the company.
Ron spent 30+ years coaching for the Valley Babe Ruth League. His teams captured numerous Division, League, and District Titles during his coaching tenure. He also served as Valley Babe Ruth League President for 14 years, Pennsylvania Assistant District 4 Commissioner for six years, and was elected the Pennsylvania State Commissioner in 1998, serving in this capacity until 2019.
Ron also served nine years as Chairperson of the Board and President of Butler Township Athletic Association, served on the Board of Directors of the Butler Township Recreation Authority for eight years, was Chairperson of the Butler Township Festival for six years, and served as an EMT for six years with the Butler Township Ambulance service.
He was an active member of the Butler Township American Legion Post 795, having served as Post Adjutant, Financial Officer, Sgt-at-Arms, and Athletic Officer. Ron was a member of the Babe Ruth Alumni Association and was inducted into the Pennsylvania Babe Ruth Hall of Fame in 2007.
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