By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Gene Zimmer touched the lives of many students during his 46 years as a math and algebra teacher.  The past 35 of those years were in Hays — at Kennedy Middle School  for 23 years and then at Thomas More Prep-Marian High School for 12 years.

Zimmer, 70, died Wednesday, Feb. 12, at  Hays Medical Center. View a full obituary HERE.

Zimmer was diagnosed with primary lateral sclerosis in 2012, which developed into ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was forced to retire from his math teaching job at TMP before the start of the 2012-13 school year.

Gene and his wife, Mary, were honored as Points of Lights during TMP’s homecoming activities last September.

“Gene’s legacy will continue through the thousands of students whose lives he has touched,” said TMP Development Director Jeff Brull in a statement issued Thursday evening.

“We are honored to have had Gene as a part of the TMP-Marian family. Even after his retirement, brought on by his medical condition, he found ways to be involved and to inspire us. He is a faithful servant of God, education and the Church, and we know he will forever continue his intercessions on behalf of his students,” Brull said.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 17, at the St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Monday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine. A parish vigil service will be at 7 p.m. followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary, both on Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to TMP-Marian High School, St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church or to family wishes, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the Zimmer family at www.haysmemorial.com.