Jimmie L. Zawacki
December 1937 - January 2023
On January 30th, 2023, at the age of 85, Jimmie Louise (Beaird) Zawacki entered eternal life. She lived a life of faith, family, travel and adventure and will forever be remember for her sense of humor and quick wit. Her legacy continues through her husband, 6 children, 16 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren who were the light of her life.
Jimmie was born December 1937 in Denton, Texas. Jimmie was raised by doting parents, James and Helen Beaird, and was an only child. Her parents owned and lived above their photography studio, and she learned the art of developing photos at an early age. Their photo studio was directly across the street from North Texas University where Jimmie studied the harp at a young age. During June 1950, Jimmie and her parents moved to Loveland, Colorado. Jimmie was very active in the Pep Club, Theatre, working at the local diner and she had many friends at Loveland High School where she graduated in 1955.
After graduation from high school, Jimmie entered Loretto Heights College (Denver) majoring in Nursing. While in college she met her future husband of 66 years, Robert (Bob) Zawacki, at a skating rink. Jimmie and Bob were married September 1st, 1956, in Loveland and then moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming where he was stationed with the United States Air Force. They lived in Warren AFB housing and had a happy life.
Their first two children, Martha and Dale, were born in Cheyenne. In 1959, they moved to Laramie, and both attended the University of Wyoming. Jimmie majored in secondary education and was President of the Laramie Wives Club. Jimmie and Bob had two additional children born in Laramie, Paul & Carol. Bob graduated from the University of Wyoming and was sent to United States Air Force Officer Training School and Jimmie remained in Laramie with their 4 children. After Bob's commissioning in 1963, the family was sent to Tacoma, WA where their fifth child, Mark, was added to the growing family.
Bob was sent to a remote Air Force radar site and Jimmie and the five children returned to Loveland to be near her parents. When Bob returned from his remote tour they were stationed back in Laramie where they purchased their first home and once again attended the University of Wyoming. Upon Bob's graduation from Graduate School in 1966, they were surprised to learn that they would begin the next phase in their life together at the USAF Academy in Colorado Springs. They moved into a 5-bedroom home in Douglass Valley and immediately became active in the many Academy activities & programs. Jimmie was a Cub Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout Leader, Officers Wife Club, and she enrolled as a
college student at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Jimmie often remarked that her time at the Academy were some of her happiest days. During 1970, Bob was sent to the University of Washington (Seattle) for his PH.D. and Jimmie again attended the University of Puget Sound. They lived in Bellevue, WA for two years and Laura, their sixth child, was born. During 1972, when Bob received his PH.D., they again received orders to return to the USAF Academy and purchased a home in North Colorado Springs where they have resided for the past 50 years. Bob retired from the Air Force Academy in 1975 and joined the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs as a Professor of Business. Jimmie travelled the globe with Bob as she was the Financial Officer for Zawacki and Associates, their international business consulting firm. In their retirement, they owned 'Z's hole in the Wall Ranch' in Guffey, Colorado and Jimmie spent many happy days ranching the 170 acres.
Jimmie was a devout Catholic and an early member of the Mount Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Colorado Springs. Her life was filled with adventure, and she had many interests including her faith, travel, hiking, art, cooking, her bridge and bunko groups, hosting large AFA vs. Wyoming football parties, hosting friends at their cabin in Breckenridge, volunteering, and studying medicine & health. She was a member of the Colorado Mountain Club and trekked across England, New Zealand, all 5 Hawaii Islands and most of the Colorado Trail before she was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD) during 2003. PD did not slow her down and she lived 20 years with the disease. She became a patient at the University of Colorado Medical Center in Denver and through her love of reading about health introduced the medical staff to new nutritional needs to slow down the advance.
Jimmie is survived by her husband, Dr. Robert A. Zawacki; her six children, Martha (Don) Seegmiller of Orem, Utah, Dale Zawacki of Canon City, Paul (Mary) Zawacki of Westcliffe, Carol (Steve) Norman of Pueblo, Mark Zawacki of The Netherlands and Laura (Jesse) James of Black Forest, Colorado. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
Her family will forever cherish her being a faith-filled, caring and devoted mother and grandmother and her sense of humor will never be forgotten. Jimmie's legacy and spirit lives on.
Jimmie's celebration of life will be on February 9th at 10:30am at Mount St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Colorado Springs with interment following at the United States Air Force Academy cemetery and reception at the USAF Golf Course.