John T. Zimbelman, 70, died June 1, 2018, in Gooding, Idaho.

John Towers Zimbelman was born on Jan. 4, 1948, in North Platte, to C.H. “John” and Phyllis Zimbelman. He grew up in North Platte, attending public schools there, graduating from North Platte High School in 1966. Later he studied at and received degrees from Kearney State College, the University of Northern Colorado, and the University of Idaho in the field of education.

John taught the blind and visually impaired for 37 years in Wisconsin, Alaska, New Zealand and Idaho. He spent the last 24 years of his career at the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind in Gooding. He enjoyed teaching immensely and was particularly involved in the field of educating the blind.

He loved traveling, often in his pickup camper with dogs in tow, and visited the bulk of national parks in the West. As a young man he backpacked extensively in the mountains of Wyoming, Alaska and Idaho. He spent a summer hitchhiking throughout Australia and New Zealand, and he later lived and taught in Wellington, New Zealand, for five years.

His hobbies included crafting stained glass pieces. Upon retirement, he had a shop built for his glass work and spent countless hours turning out works for his home and friends. He was also an avid fly fisherman and enjoyed float tubing many of Idaho’s lakes and streams.

His dad, C.H. Zimbelman, and sister, Deb Zimbelman, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his mother, Phyllis Christensen of North Platte; brothers, Mike (Sara) Zimbelman of Lincoln and Charles Towers of Thermopolis, Wyoming; nephews, Zac Zimbelman, Zane Zimbelman, Jordan Coleman; niece, Melissa Smith; and special friend, Jeanne-Marie Kopecky of Gooding, Idaho.

When my life has ended

And my time has run out

My friends and my loved ones

I’ll leave there’s no doubt

But one thing’s for certain

When it comes my time

I’ll leave this old world

With a satisfied mind

— Johnny Cash

Online condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family at demarayfuneralservice.com.

John requested no funeral services and his ashes to be scattered on the Salmon River in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho. Cremation arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service, Gooding Chapel.