Gary Schimmer

The Rev. Gary Michael Schimmer was born in Lutheran Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri on November 27, 1951, and completed his baptismal journey on May 16, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee.

He is the son of the late Michael J. Schimmer and Dolores E. Schimmer (nee Hargas).

He was baptized at St. Lucas Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church and confirmed at Emmaus Lutheran Church, both congregations in St. Louis.

Rev. Schimmer is a graduate of Lutheran High School South, the University of Missouri, Columbia, and Vanderbilt Divinity School, Nashville.

He was ordained to a word and sacrament ministry in the Southeastern Synod, Lutheran Church in America in June, 1978 and served congregations in Elberton, Georgia; Birmingham, Alabama; Mobile, Alabama; Kirkwood, Missouri and Hixson, Tennessee.

His ministry included membership on many community advocacy boards including the Salvation Army. He also served on various committees in the Southeastern Synod including social ministry and education and was dean of the Southeastern Synod in Central and lower Alabama.

He is the author of two devotionals books, Emmaus Road, and Living Water, and has written book reviews for CrossAccent, the journal of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Priscilla Schimmer (nee Roberts) of Elberton, Georgia. He is survived by his stepdaughter, Katie Anthony Emmons and her husband, Neal Emmons, of Charlotte, NC; son, Gary Michael Schimmer, Jr. of Nashville, TN; brother-in-law, Albert Hughes Roberts and his wife, Charlene DeVane Roberts, of Greensboro, GA; sister-in-law, Elaine Stowers (nee Roberts) of Kennebunkport, ME; William James Roberts and his wife, Clara Davis Roberts, of Lake City, FL; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and two grandchildren, Grace Emmons and Olivia Emmons.

Rest eternal grant him, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon him.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal, Alive Hospice of Nashville, First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Nashville, TN or to the charity of your choice.