Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. This week we presenttoyouPaulaZimmerman, current Vice President of the Texoma Fire Auxiliary. Here is her life.
Who am I? I am Paula Zimmerman. I was born and raised in Michigan, along with three brothers. I married Bill Hubble in Michigan and moved to Texas in 1965. While he worked at GM, I decided to get involved in the community.IjoinedtheNewcomers Club of Arlington, Texas, pledged a Sorority, then we joined the Arlington Jaycees and Jaycee Wives Club, of which I held offices forboth.Imetsomanypeople and enjoyed all we did for the communityasIworkedonthe Miss Texas Pageant which was so exciting.
I also worked for the Cancer Society. I was nominated for the Outstanding Women of American to represent Arlington and I won because of my community involvement. I felt so honored. Then I started a family. I have three daughtersandason.Theyare the best thing I have done.
I was a single mom for three years before I met Jere Zimmerman. He worked for GMandwasacameramanfor the Dallas Cowboys for eight years before deciding to go to NFL FILMS. After we were married, he was filming high school football games and needed a person for another team, so I watched films and practiced filming games and filled that position.
I was filming high school games and Jere was filming for the NFL. We had to travel to games all over so I had to give up my high school filming and became a loader for the NFL. Jere was a top cameraman and I worked as a loader and sound crew. We did did Cowboy games at home and in Houston plus many playoffs and Super Bowl games.
I was asked to work with the NFL on an Oliver Stone movie, “Never on Sunday”. I remember in California at the Rose Bowl game, Super Bowl, Mickey Rooney came up to me and said “ Happy to see you again”, hugged me and kissed my cheek. I think he had me confused with someone else but I was excited he approached me.
In our years of working with the NFL, along with our regular jobs, we met a lot of celebrities and traveled a lot. Jere won a Emmy for his films in the “Inside the NFL” program. He was one of four awarded that honor. We retired from our jobs but not from films and built our home in Kingston.
Wewereaviddeerhunters so we still traveled to New Mexico to hunt. The crazy experiences weendured,Icould write a book full of them. Still filming for the NFL, we decided to get involved in the community so we joined the Texoma Fire Department and we’ve been involved for over 25 years. Jere held the position of Fire Chief and I followed him in that role.
JereandIwereinvolvedin helping the Kingston Police Department and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol obtain needed car radios. Both Jere and I retired from the Fire Department but I stayed on to serve as Director of the Fire Board. I was also involved withtheLadiesAuxiliaryand held the position of President for seven years. The group of ladies were and are a delight.
They were and still are so important to me. I joined the Marshall County Election Board and greatly enjoyed meeting all the community people and friends.
Losing Jere last month was hard, but with my family and so many great friends, I’m sure I will endure. My kids, my eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren keep me on my toes. We get together even though we’re miles apart. I am so thankful for all of the amazing opportunities I’ve been able to have and I look forward to many more great times in Marshall County. I’m truly not going anywhere.
The Texoma Fire District Auxiliary met on November 19, 2022, with 21 members in attendance. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all. The Humorous reading was given Sandy Bumgarner. We welcomed two new guests; Amanda Harris and Beth Speigel.
The door Prize was won by Paula Zimmerman. The Fellowship Committee has started sending Birthday Cards to all members. TFD Liaison reported there were 15 EMR calls and three fires last month. Mary Green’s birthday was celebrated with a song and a gift. Next month’s meeting will start at 11 a.m. and will proceed a potluck Christmas Luncheon with a gift exchange following. The gift exchange is voluntary and limited to a cost of $20. So, bring a gift if you want to play. Hopefully we will see you there.