Craig Edward Zimmel

Craig Edward Zimmel was born to Ed and Hallie Zimmel in Detroit, Michigan on November 4th , 1947, along with his twin brother, Kurt. When Craig was 15, the family moved to San Jose, California, where he attended church with his friend, Louie. Craig was discipled in their church by Brother Hamilton and years later, became a leader in the Royal Rangers, a middle-school ministry to boys in the Assemblies of God church.
One Sunday in San Jose, Craig accompanied Louie to his girlfriend’s church, and this was where he met Kay. Their relationship began at church and then continued during Craig’s two and a half years of service in the Navy. While Craig was stationed in San Diego and the Aleutian Islands, he and Kay wrote letters to one another almost daily. Craig left the Navy, and they were married on August 30th, 1968, in Campbell, California, just four days after Kay turned 20.
Craig then went into communications, working for Pacific Bell in San Jose. After being transferred to Porterville, California, Craig unionized the Pacific Bell company and became vice-president of Communication Workers of America, Local 9510. After moving to Chico, where Craig became an elder in their church, he was transferred to Seattle in 1995. After working for Pacific Bell for 25 years, Craig was recruited by Wheat International to work in telecommunications in Hawaii.
The move to Milalani, Hawaii brought significant change to Craig and Kay’s faith when they attended the innovative and life-changing New Hope Church. The couple lived in Hawaii for three years before answering God’s call to move back to Washington to help plant a New Hope Church in Lynnwood. One year later, they moved to Everett where they purchased a bed and breakfast which they ran for five and a half years.
In 2016, a downturn in the economy prompted the sale of their bed and breakfast, their retirement, and a move to Bellingham to help their youngest daughter, Jennifer, and her son, Derrick. Jennifer and her older sister, Cindy, were both born in San Jose in the 1970s.
Jennifer and Cindy will always remember their dad as being funny, kind of corny (loving ‘Dad’ jokes!), patient, trustworthy, loving, and gentle. Jennifer can’t recall her dad ever raising his voice. The girls both remember their dad as being generous despite his very frugal upbringing. They also remember Craig being especially vibrant in the past two years.
Craig was quick to give praise and acknowledge others’ accomplishments. He had a thirst for knowledge and embraced technology throughout his entire life. One of Craig’s passions was teaching his grandson, Derrick, about military and war history. He also loved going to Dairy Queen with Derrick where they had a special booth they always sat in.
Kay will always remember Craig as being kind and considerate, hard-working, persistent, and a ‘get ‘er done!’ kind of guy.
Craig passed peacefully at their home, being welcomed into his eternal home with Jesus on December 4th , 2024.
Craig is survived by wife, Kay Zimmel, daughter Cindy Zimmel, daughter Jennifer Farrell and grandson, Derrick Zimmel, all of Bellingham; and sister, Joanie, of Oregon.
Craig is preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Hallie Zimmel, and twin brother, Kurt.
The family would like to thank Whatcom Hospice, Pastor Ryan Ervin, and Christ the King Community Church for all their help and support.