Stephen Anton Zimmer was born to John and Orpha Zimmer on St Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1951, and was raised in Amarillo Texas. He grew up reading about cowboys and Indians and spent much of his youth with his father at their ranch in Moore County, Texas, riding the breaks of the Canadian while pretending to scout Comanche war parties. He had an infinite love for horses and was blessed by having solid ones to ride throughout the course of his lifetime.
Steve was an Eagle Scout and traveled the nation with the Kwahadi Indian Scout Troop from Amarillo. In 1969 he graduated from Amarillo High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of New Mexico in 1972 followed by a master’s in history in 1976. While in college, his summers were spent in the Sange de Cristo Mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch. The back country camps of Beaubien, Bonita Cow Camp, Ponil, and Indian Writings were his home. He met his closest friends where these mountains meet the plains in Colfax County.
He traveled many miles horseback with his compadres on local ranches such as the CS, UU Bar, Vermejo, and TO. He was proud of his devoted mounts, Mack and Will James, and often could be found in the pastures and pens of neighboring ranches for the spring and fall works. He found peace in making his home in Colfax County. He never took the beauty of the land for granted.
Steve became the Philmont registrar in the late 1970’s; by the early 80’s, he became the curator of museums. He spent a career of more than 25 years reading, writing, and teaching the history of the Southwest. He touched the lives of thousands of people who walked through the doors of the Seton Museum and stumbled across his “always open” office door. His stable presence left a lasting impression with all that he encountered. He was well known for his skilled storytelling and heartfelt way of making history come to life for people of all ages. Steve’s love was to write about the Western way of life. His articles appeared in Persimmon Hill, Western Horseman, the Quarter Horse Journal, and many others. Steve was a devoted scholar, passionate about his daily practice of reading, researching, and writing about the history of the Southwest. He wrote multiple books of Western historical fiction. After his morning coffee, he spent most of the day outside in the sunshine, reading and writing with the Sangre De Cristo Mountains as the backdrop.
One of his proudest moments was marrying his wife Shari on the lawn at the Villa Philmonte, on August 26, 1989. They lived in Miami, NM, as they built a home out of his bunkhouse which evolved into what is affectionately called the Double Z Bar. The views are spectacular, the peacefulness sublime, and the stargazing unmatched. From this homestead, together they raised two boys, Parker and Marshall, on the ZZ Bar along with plenty of dogs and horses.
Steve retired from Philmont in 2001. He spent his retirement raising his boys, hauling them to the bus stop, baseball games, and spring and fall works. The Zimmers spent their summers visiting major league ball parks while camping across North America, stopping at every historical marker, multiple museums, and many national battlefields.
Steve’s life was defined by his resilience, strength of character, and determination. His chosen career provided him with great satisfaction. He spent a lifetime enamored with history, Indian lore, the love of the outdoors, nature, bird watching, and enjoying the spectacular views of his favorite “Colfax County” while being 100% committed to his family.
Steve, our strong, unwavering man, passed on August 15, 2023, with his family by his side. The family is so proud to call him a husband, father, and friend. He is survived by his wife Shari, two sons, Parker and wife Brandi from Bowie, Texas, and Marshall from Miami, NM., brother Mark Zimmer and wife Jill and sister Susan Cox and husband Roger from Amarillo, Texas, and in-laws Blaine and Ellie Place of Las Cruces, Randy and Vivian Place of Suwanee, Georgia, and numerous nieces and nephews.
You are invited to a good, old-fashioned “Zimmer Party” to honor him on Saturday, October 7th at 5:00 p.m. at the Double Z Bar Ranch in Miami, NM. Please bring a potluck dish and preferred beverage. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Cimarron Maverick Club scholarship fund in Steve’s name.
The family would be touched if you brought a picture or took a moment to jot down your favorite memory. Please bring this in an envelope. The family will enjoy reading about your friendship and poignant memories after the celebration.
Robert Frost’s words precisely articulate the life of Stephen Anton Zimmer:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Steve, we hope you are sitting tall in the saddle, covering smooth country with green pastures, throwing a loop in the branding pen, and engaged in animated conversations with your long-time friends and heroes that passed before.
Happy trails…
May the road rise up to meet you, and may the wind always be at your back.
Know that you are greatly missed.
