Kermit Zinn

Born in Reedsville, WV on February 11, 1919

Departed on May 16, 2017 and resided in Franklin, TN

Mr. Kermit R. Zinn, age 98 of Franklin, passed away May 16, 2017 at Williamson Medical Center.

Kermit was born February 11, 1919 in Reedsville, WV. He was one of four children born to Charles Reese Zinn and Georgia Schaeffer Zinn.

Like so many filled with American pride and a desire to serve, he entered the United States Army just after the bombing at Pearl Harbor. He left his time of service as a Major.

After the war, Kermit and his brother owned a coal mine in northern West Virginia. During that time they worked ponies who pulled the loaded cars from the mine to the tipple. Also owning a farm near the family home, he would rest the ponies there. This allowed his young son to enjoy them in his formative years, even having one of his own that was retired from the mine.

As the industry changed, Kermit left the mine and opened a gas station. His desire to serve was perfectly suited to this venture. It was more than just pumping gas, it was an opportunity to know his neighbors and keep them safe in their travels, checking fluids, pressures and engines.

One of his greatest joys was raising cattle. He loved working in the fields and understood how important a strong pasture was in raising cattle. This knowledge offered him his greatest career move. Selling his station, he was named State Director of the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service in West Virginia, under the US Department of Agriculture. With grant money in hand, he traveled West Virginia helping farmers with their pastures. Even in times of political change, his career was stable because of his knowledge and ability to work with elected officials on both sides of the aisle.

Kermit's desire to serve extended to all parts of his life. He served his local community for 19 years as a member of the School Board. Following retirement he served on water boards and bank boards. He was inducted into the West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame as a member of the inaugural class of honorees in 1975.

During his time with the Department of Agriculture, his greatest, and proudest, accomplishment was helping initiate the reforestation on the west coast of Oregon and Washington State.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife: Mary Lee Sullivan Zinn; a brother: Donald Zinn; and two sisters: Elizabeth Critchett and Dorothy Ingalls. He is survived by his two children: David (Patty) Zinn of Franklin and Susan (Don) Breedwell of Mt. Juliet; 6 grandchildren: Amy Spodeck, Andy Zinn, Adam Zinn, Meredith Rabe, Geoffrey Breedwell and Wesley Breedwell; and 15 great-grandchildren.

His family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, May 19, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. with burial to follow in Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens with Military Honors provided by the United States Army.