Michael Steven Zimmerman

Michael Steven Zimmerman, known to many as “Zim” and lovingly called “Dad’, “Grandpa

Mike”, “Uncle Mike”, “Little Brother” (and lots of other more colorful things), passed away on

February 15, 2026, at the age of 67. He resided in Boone, North Carolina, and passed following

a years-long battle with meningioma.

Mike will be profoundly missed by his entire family, including sons, Michael Christopher (Chris)

and Andrew Stephen, his six beloved grandchildren: William, Sebastian, Jay, Madeline,

Benjamin, and Beatrice, his nephew Ky and Ky’s fiancé Sierra, and nieces Miah and Ruby. He is

also survived by Andrew’s mother, Beth, his brothers Sam and Dan, sister (in-law) Joan,

extended family, and too many friends to count.

Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Natalie, father, Samuel, brother Jimmy and first wife

Karen Kelser (mother to Chris). He never forgot the ones who went before and always kept their

memories alive. He was also married to Beth Sehr (mother to Andrew), and later to Marianne

Honan. He never stopped caring about and deeply valuing these important relationships in his

life.

Mike was born on April 5, 1958, in Kansas City, Missouri. His family eventually made their way

to Pasadena, Maryland, where he and his brothers grew up, surrounded by the Chesapeake

Bay, swimming, boating, water skiing, sailing, and traipsing through the woods and back streets

with his buddies. All of this helped shape his lifelong love of nature and the outdoors. 

The family survived great traumas, including the death of their beloved younger brother Jimmy,

Mike’s own serious bout with cancer, and their dad’s early death. One of the results of all that is

the profoundly deep connection between the brothers Sam, Dan and Mike - a bond which

everyone who knows them feels and appreciates.  

Mike became a TM teacher in 1974 and later received his BA from MIU. Right out of high

school, married and a young father, he quickly became an assistant manager in a small finance

company. One of his favorite jobs of all time was installing sky lights with his buddy, Mark

Obrien. That began his life-long enjoyment of working with tools, something we valued greatly

as he took on projects at our Rocky Creek house over the years. Later, he was an enthusiastic

salesperson in the commodities industry, spent some great years selling oriental furniture all

over the country, taught English in Japan, and in recent years was an involved consultant and

strategist, working with his dear friend Peter Givertzman Mike lived in Boone, NC since 2012,

with his brother Sam, sister-in-law Joan, his nephew and niece Ky and Miah, and all their (many many) dogs.

Mike was the dog and kid whisperer - loved by all animals and all humans, large and small. He could talk and

connect with anyone. He spent hours walking the trails and enjoying the sunsets over the mountains - or paddling on the

paddleboard on the lake - or watching a cold case show in his room - or giving important advice

to Peter about his business - or telling us how we should be doing our asanas.

Mike was intellectually curious and a lifelong spiritual seeker. He remained grateful throughout

his life for what he learned from Maharishi. He had a deep love of history, especially World War

II. He found joy in the mountains, the night sky, rockets, pyrotechnics, and exploring the

 mysteries of the universe. He had a special and almost magical connection with animals and

was especially devoted to April, Gemma, Coco, Merle, Snickers, Max, Kettle, Nico, Jasper,

Macey, Boonie, Hazel, Pongo, Barney, and others who crossed his path.

Mike faced cancer for the first time early in his life and was shaped by that experience. He

became darkly hilarious, fiercely insightful, witty and forgiving. He also developed a commitment

to health and longevity for himself and the people around him. He faced many serious health

issues for most of his life, always with tremendous grace, resilience, courage and humor. He

worked incredibly hard to live as fully and as long as possible, fueled by his desire to contribute

to the lives of all his family, friends and many loved ones. 

We will miss him forever.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Watauga County Humane Society (or any humane

society or animal welfare group)

Please join us as we gather ourselves to share our love for Mike and celebrate his life. As we all
begin our own journeys of grieving, we hope to share laughter and tears, pizza and ice cream,
and some of the many stories and memories we all have of our dear brother, father,
grandfather, uncle and friend.
Saturday, February 28, 2026
1:00-4:00pm
755 North Carolina Hwy 105 Bypass
Boone, NC 28607
Link for remote access:
https://evt.live/celebration-of-mike-zim9602
If anyone would like to send a photo, message or story to be shared, please email
samandjoanz@gmail.com

Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

Austin and Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Zimmerman family.